The first Indigenous ceremony at the newly-renamed Sweetgrass Park in Burlington took place this past Sunday afternoon. It was incredibly moving.The focus was unity, healing, remembrance, with songs and words from indigenous elders and teachers White Eagle and Stephen Paquette and others.
It was great to see entire families, children, youth joining together, along with my colleagues Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte, Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan, Hannelie Van Niekerk from the Mayor’s Office team and our Burlington MP, the Hon. Karina Gould.We did a round dance together for Williams Lake First Nation in remembrance of the ongoing discovery of graves at former residential schools. We threw tobacco into the fire and spoke our words.
Thank you to everyone who came. It was very uplifting and hopeful. We are taking steps each day toward a better future for us all, in our commitment to truth and reconciliation.Sweetgrass Park is located at 565 Woodview Road. To learn more about the park and its renaming visit:
City Council approves new name for Ryerson Park.
