Seneca Nation Crime Victims Services hosts Walk for Community Healing
Last Friday, September 28th, Seneca Nation Crime Victim Services partnered with Seneca Health System’s Child and Family Services to host the Annual Every Child Matters Community Healing event at the Stanley Huff Heritage Center on the Cattaraugus Territory in Irving, N.Y.
Community members gathered and wore Orange shirts to honor every child who attended and didn’t survive Indian Boarding Schools. Walk participants were given Every Child Matter t-shirts designed by Allegany Territory member Tami Watt with a significant meaning to her design.
“The meaning behind this Every Child Matters design signifies children returning home to their parents. A home that never gave up hope of their return. A home that still waits, remembers and loves them. A place they will always be welcomed and cared for that knows their heart and true name. A place they can sing and dance and carry on traditions. A place they can rest in peace.”
Some history of the former Thomas Indian Boarding School was shared to remember what happened to Indigenous children at these residential boarding schools. The community then joined for a Remembrance Walk around the former Thomas Indian School grounds with a mini-social of songs and dances afterward, followed by dinner.
Nya:wëh to all the Seneca Nation Departments, Connecting Communities in Action, all the Volunteers who assisted with this event, Singers and everyone who attended to show support and create awareness. Together, our community continues to heal from the impacts of Indian Boarding Schools with the help of our Indigenous culture, our language and our traditional songs and dances.
#EveryChildMatters #OrangeShirtDay #ResidentialSchoolSurvivors
