Update

Windows. In so many ways our experience as human beings is shaped by them. Our views. Our light. They can represent hope, opportunity. They can also represent separation and loss when those windows keep us in or keep us out. In Ottawa, in Parliament’s Centre Block, there is a work of art, remembrance and hope called “Giniigaaniimenaaning” or “Looking Ahead” by Christi Belcourt that “was commissioned to recognize the survivors of Indian Residential Schools and their families” as well as Canada’s Apology in 2008.

This window‘s message is one that speaks so poignantly to our future generations – to remember, to recognize and to look ahead. On National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21, we will be dedicating our own window to messages of love and healing and will display those message from the summer solstice until Canada Day itself.

These messages we hope will be one small way to say yes to looking ahead, to say yes to recognizing those that survived, and remembering the little souls who never came home. Every message of love and healing dropped off at 102 Fairmont, or sent electronically will be shared on social media.

As a business, we will be making a donation on June 21 to a local indigenous organization. 

Recently, Canada’s Parliament has decided to designate a federal holiday on September 30 as a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day. We hope this day is adopted as a holiday across all jurisdictions and by businesses. 

To all who responded to our message of two weeks ago, in support or in challenge, thank you. We believe our shared challenge is to look ahead, with love and with healing, as human beings living in Canada in a way that comes to terms with the sorrow and loss that will always be in our history, that learns and recognizes the past in looking forward to the generations to come. Giniigaaniimenaaning.