Thousands gather in Victoria Park for the Turtle Island Healing Walk in London, Ontario.

On July 1st, the orange sea gathered in Victoria Park to support theindigenouscommunity. Thousands of people participated in the 2nd AnnualTurtle Island Healing Walkto honor survivors and lives lost from the Canadian housing school system.

"Wow," said walk director Elissa Rose, spiritual name Little Thunder Woman. "I didn't know what to expect. I definitely wanted our relatives and community to be here, and anyone could come. Today, how many people are coming to support I'm really honored to be lost. "

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Many of the 10,000 people who participated last year are back again. This includes Brian Lewbert and his wife, Fat.

"We've been tracking housing school issues for nearly 18-19 years since last year," Loubert said. "When I learned Canadian history at school, I was very proud of the culture of our home country. How they were misunderstood by the government and all their factions and institutions. It was very disappointing to know. "

Friday morning, housing school survivor Lila Bruyere spoke at the event.

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"I'm thinking of children," Bruyere said. "I knew as a survivor the children attending a housing school in St. Margaret. We were talking about the children, but when we talked about it, we were silent. And they would deny it. "

As a survivor, Bruyeres talked about being offered a paid trip to meet the Pope. But this wasn't what she was interested in.

"You don't have to ask someone to apologize. They need to come to see me."

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Now, Rose is every year We hope that the walk will continue to influence the London community.

"[I] not only keeps creating space for our community, relatives and survivors, and allows them to mourn and heal that space and time. Supported by our allies and supporters throughout the city. ”

Rose would like to thank everyone who has supported the indigenous community.

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