In recognition of Orange Shirt Day, Scotiabank unveiled a section of its Yellowknife branch Wednesday dedicated to honouring the legacy of residential schools.
In partnership with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), the new SA国际影视传媒渓egacy spaceSA国际影视传媒 features two works of art from Tlicho artist Angus Beaulieu, musician Gord DownieSA国际影视传媒檚 call to SA国际影视传媒渄o somethingSA国际影视传媒 and seating space where branch manager Baldeep Bajwa said members of the public can come in and engage in discussion to push reconciliation forward.
The Yellowknife branch is the third Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space. The other two locations are in Toronto.
Yellowknives Dene First Nation Dettah Chief Edward Sangris and Mayor Rebecca Alty helped cut the ribbon on Sept 30, which has been marked as Orange Shirt Day in Canada since 2013.
SA国际影视传媒淚t's a place where people can gather and reminisce and relax. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 an atmosphere where people can exchange stories,SA国际影视传媒 Sangris said on why the space is an asset to the community. SA国际影视传媒淚t's something that is really needed in the community, but that doesn't happen too often.SA国际影视传媒
Likewise, Alty commended the bank for its initiative.
SA国际影视传媒淚t's a public space for people who are going about their daily business and taking that moment to pause and reflect on our history here,SA国际影视传媒 she said. SA国际影视传媒淩econciliation is more than just government to government. It's all residents being involved.SA国际影视传媒
The DWF is a registered charity that began with Gord DownieSA国际影视传媒檚 2016 album The Secret Path. The organization aims to continue the conversation that began with Chanie WenjackSA国际影视传媒檚 residential school story, an Anishinaabe boy who died trying to escape residential schools.
Bajwa said the space will SA国际影视传媒渉onour the resilience of residential school survivors and of those who did not return home.SA国际影视传媒