UPDATE: Organizers announced late Monday evening that registration had been closed to everyone except Saugeen and Nawash community members "to ensure that we keep our numbers at a safe and manageable level."

A community-led event has been announced for July 1 in commemoration of the children whose bodies are being recovered from unmarked and undocumented graves at former residential school sites across Turtle Island. The Chippewas of Nawash and Saugeen First Nation invite you to join them for their Honouring Our Children Relay: Past, Present & Future, from Neyaashiinigmiing to Saugeen.

Beginning with a sunrise ceremony at 5:30 a.m. at Nawash boundary and ending with a closing ceremony in Sauble Beach at approximately 6 p.m.

Allies are welcome. 

Code of Conduct reads as follows:

"This is a peaceful, community-led event that requests all participants to remain safe and respectful. This event is open to all, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to come together as one in support of residential school survivors and Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.

"We ask that all participants go in with open minds and open hearts. In the event that we encounter people who do not agree with our actions, please do not engage. Stay resolute.

"Together we are stronger. We have included resources for those who wish to education others of the history of residential schools and the ongoing trauma experienced by Indigenous communities as a result of colonial and religious practices and systems."

Participants are asked to wear orange shirts or appropriate ceremonial attire.

Covid safety protocols are in place, registration is required for contact purposes, and designated legs will be assigned.

For more information you can find Honouring Our Children Relay: Past, Present and Future on facebook at facebook.com/Honouring-our-Children-Relay-Past-Present-and-Future-102438378768329.

A Walk for the Children event is also being held in Owen Sound July 1, beginning at 4pm. The walk will start at the parking lot at the north end of 1st Ave. E. near the Health Unit building and end at Gitche Namewikwedong Reconciliation Garden at Kelso Beach Park where a ceremonial fire will provide an opportunity to pay your respects.

More information around the Honouring Our Children Neyaashiinigmiing to Saugeen Relay can be found in the below graphics. Click the image for larger view.