The site of the former boarding school will be a place of remembrance

The site of the former Mani-Outnam boarding school, on Sept-El, on the North Shore, will be holding several activities over the next few days as part of the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Every evening at 7:00 p.m. until September 30, films with historical content and dealing with various issues affecting Aboriginal people and residential schools will be shown in the vehicle installed in the building.

Then on September 30, at dawn, the sunrise and sacred fire ceremonies will open today. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in many cultural and social activities, including traditional dance and music performances.

The event’s programming gives an important place to Words of Healing activities and emotional support and accompaniment will be available at all times.

A Facebook show will be broadcast in the evening, while a column of light will be visible from the rooftop of the Mani-utenam Health Center honoring survivors and victims at Notre-Dame Boarding School, the first boarding school in East-Quebec.

The boarding school website will be freely available to the public. It is also recommended to attend by car and in a family bubble to avoid gatherings.

The current building of the Mani-utenam Health Center was originally the day school and was part of the boarding school infrastructure. This is one of the last remaining remains.

In addition, the presidents of nine Inoue communities in Quebec united their voices to launch a call for mobilization and to demand, through a declaration, that the Government of Quebec make September 30 an “official day of celebration.”