'We're healing': Marches, ceremonies mark first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in B.C.

For years, the children and staff of the slilwta (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)walked fromtheir reserveevery day to the St. Paul's Indian Residential School in North Vancouver, B.C.

The 8.5-kilometre journeytook close to two hours.

"That was a lot of hurt and pain that they had to walk into," said Gabriel George, the director of treaty lands and resources for the nation.

More than 2,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend the school during its operation from 1899 to 1959. Public records show at least 12 died while attending the school between 1904 and 1913.

On Thursday, several hundred peopleset out on the same walk, including those who had once made the journey as children. This time, however, it was called a pilgrimage, to commemorate the first National Day for Truthand Reconciliation.

"We wanted to reset the course," George said. "We can do something physically that will help us emotionally, spiritually and mentally."

WATCH | Hundreds turn out for pilgrimage walk to former residential school:

Tsleil-Waututh Nation holds pilgrimage to former residential school

3 years ago

Duration 0:33

Hundreds of people walked alongside members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation on a pilgrimage to the former St. Paul's Indian Residential School in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday.

Jen Thomas, the nation's newly elected chief, said her father was among the survivors who once had to walk.

"I'm here for him," she said."I'm here for the community."

The event mirroredothers that unfolded across B.C. on Thursday, as attendees grappled with the legacy of residential schools and reflected on reconciliation. Marches and drum ceremonies were held from Vancouver to Kamloops to Prince George.

Colour unified the events,with participants dressed in orange jackets, sweaters and hats under grey skies.

Sept. 30 was previously known as Orange Shirt Dayin honour of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad, whowas six years old whenher orange shirt was taken away from her on her first day at St. Joseph's Indian Residential School.

'We all have a part to play'

In downtown Vancouver, a Coast Salish performanceat the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza drew people who sought to show their solidarity and learn more about reconciliation.

"I think we all have a part to play," said attendee Peter Robertson.

Robertson said hefelt the day should have been a statutory holiday in B.C. The province advised that B.C.'spublic sector and schools be closed on Thursday, but didn't mandate a day off.

"I hope that next year it will be," Robertson said.

Nicole Dingle, a University of British Columbia student, said she wanted to spend the day learning about Indigenous history and culture.

Dingle said she spent the night prior reading about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action from 2015, including the push to create a statutory holiday.

"I was surprised that it took so long to be implemented and for me to actually learn about it," she said.

"At the very least, it's part of the conversation now. It's really nice to see that a lot of people are trying to learn about it."

Calls for 'meaningful apology'

In Kamloops, B.C., where the remains of more than 200 children were reported discovered in May using ground-penetrating radar, leaders urged for more action.

Kukpi7 (Chief)Rosanne Casimir of the Tk'emlps te Secwpemc First Nation called for the disclosure of all relevant records from the church and government to help identify missing Indigenous children at former residential school sites, including those in unmarked graves.

"Reconciliation requires truth,'' Casimir said Thursday. "And this is but one milestone along with the restitution and potentially retribution, and a path toward reconciliation. At the very least, steps toward reconciliation demands honesty and transparency.''

Casimir saidthey want a "meaningful apology'' from the Pope for the trauma to Indigenous children and intergenerational suffering.

Murray Rankin, B.C.'s minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, said the province is providing access to records to First Nation groups investigating residential schools.

"So, there's going to be in our case, at least in the province of British Columbia, as much transparency as possible,'' he said.

In North Vancouver,before embarking on the walk to the former residential school, George reflected on Canadians who maynot understand the need for a day of reconciliation and want Indigenous people to "get over it."

"We're healing," he said. "It's going to take us time to do that. We need patience and we need understanding."

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.