Durham College marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events that brought together students, community members, and survivors. For some, it was a chance to learn. For others, it was deeply personal.
Brooke Wheeler, an Indigenous program assistant for the City of Oshawa, reflected on how much has changed since her childhood.
“The history is so obscure,” Wheeler said. “We’ve been slowly whittled down and systemically brutalized again and again and again. We are not supposed to still be here… the Indian Act was meant to get rid of us.”
For Wheeler, the day is not only about mourning those who were lost to residential schools but also about honouring the strength and survival of Indigenous people today. The visibility and support seen now would have been unimaginable decades ago.
“When I was a kid, we didn’t have these kinds of events,” Wheeler said. “No one talked about what happened. Now people are showing up, listening, and asking questions. That’s progress.”
The events featured dancing, drumming, and crafts. The atmosphere blended reflection with connection. It was a reminder that reconciliation is an ongoing process that involves everyone.
Emma Green, a General Arts & Science student, said witnessing the event was powerful.
“Definitely the dancing and the drums,” Green said. “Watching everyone holding hands and dancing together, even non-Indigenous people, that was really beautiful to watch.”
Younger participants emphasized the importance of open dialogue. Dawson Sheridan, 15, said reconciliation depends on communication.
“You don’t learn unless you talk,” Sheridan said.
As the drumming ended, attendees lingered, talking, sharing, and reflecting on what reconciliation means to them. Wheeler said that while progress has been made, meaningful change requires continued effort and understanding.
“It’s not just about guilt or blame,” Wheeler said. “It’s about learning, healing, and rebuilding together.”
The event was a reminder that Truth and Reconciliation is not a single day but a process. Through dialogue, cultural celebration, and shared reflection, Durham College provided a space for remembrance and education. For participants, it was a chance to acknowledge the past, engage in the present, and commit to a future built on awareness, respect, and connection.
The day served as a reminder that reconciliation grows stronger when people keep listening, learning, and walking together.