The township of Adjala-Tosorontio is where my wife Angela and I have resided for the last 25 years. Angela even longer as we live in her childhood home. She has explained to me the history of the municipal township. As a young student, Angela was involved with the local historical board, the Adjala Historical Society. Her duties were to interview elder residents for historical insights. The original Township was called Adjala the name of Chief Tecumseh’s wife. Tosorontio is a Huron word meeting “beautiful mountain“. Adjala and Tosorontio, amalgamated around 1994. Because of the township’s name, there isn’t a day we are not reminded of the historical significance of where we live.
Before COVID-19, the Orangeville Theatre in cooperation with BookLore, an independent bookstore, sponsored Authors on Stage. I am delighted that the program has recently returned and we will be attending A Bookish Afternoon at the Alton Mills this coming Sunday.
This is the venue where Angela and I heard author, journalist and speaker Tanya Talaga read from her book “Seven Fallen Feathers” and “All Our Relations.” Up until this time we were truly unaware of the dire situation and history befalling the indigenous peoples and their children.
Tanya highlighted the unbearable pain, the suicides, drug and sexual abuse the children had suffered. After her presentation and that of two other authors, the audience assembled in the Orangeville Opera House Grand Hall. There we brought our books to be signed. We spoke briefly with Tanya, as she signed our copies. Her investigative stories were eye-opening and upsetting.
It took our government a long time to recognize the insensitive edict beginning in the 1800s and reaching into the 20th century.
Finally, our government proclaimed a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, 2021.
On this year’s anniversary, Angela and I reflected on what we have learned and prayed for the lost children. We also honoured the ones who made it through the unwarranted indoctrination.
To symbolize this remembrance, we joined our fellow Canadians and wore our orange shirts on Friday September the 30th. Let’s remember this every day.