Honouring the Truth Reconciling for the Future

34 • Truth & Reconciliation CommissionConcert showcasing local Aboriginal talent, Atlantic National Event, Halifax, 2011.The National EventsThe four-day National Events served as important milestones over the course ofthe Commission’s six-year mandate. As well as offering a forum for Survivors andtheir families, the National Events raised public awareness of the history and legacyof residential schools. They also built momentum for the collective journey towardsnational healing and reconciliation—a journey that will need to continue well beyondthe Commission’s closing ceremony.Traditional knowledge and practice guided much of the Commission’s work.The Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe—Respect, Courage, Love, Truth,Humility, Honesty, and Wisdom—served as the themes for the seven National Events,and ceremony and traditional observance played an important part in the NationalEvents. Sacred fires were lit at the beginning of each National Event and every day’sproceedings began with ceremony. As much as possible, the observances followedthe cultural protocols, customs, and traditions of the Aboriginal peoples in whose territoriesthe Commission was a guest. Similar ceremonies were held at Regional andCommunity Events.Education was a key part of the Commission’s mandate. Although students wereinvolved in all the National Events, beginning at the third National Event in Halifax,and at all subsequent National Events, local schools were invited to send students to