Last Thursday was National Truth and Reconciliation Day, and many local politicians took part.
MLA Ian Wishart attended numerous events around Portage la Prairie and says he was very impressed by the local events.
"Especially being as Portage is one of the sites of both the Residential School Historic Site and even provincially," says Wishart. "We should take time to think about what took place all those many years ago and continued for a long time. And we should learn the lessons that come from the residential school period."
Throughout the day, Wishart visited Southport, the event at Simplot Central Park, and the Residential School Historic Site. Wishart says he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout to National Truth and Reconciliation day activities in Portage.
"I think a lot of people took advantage of the opportunity to stop and think about the history and the ongoing consequences of residential schools," says Wishart. "I think it was an important day and a very important event for Manitobans, now and into the future."
The first National Truth and Reconciliation day was hosted on September 30 and honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.