Recognizing Tragic Past to See Forward

Toronto Police Service members joined community partners at Nathan Phillips Square to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“We remember the children who never made it home after being sent to Residential Schools. We recognize the healing journey of survivors and their families.” said Chief Myron Demkiw. “We must acknowledge the tragic and painful history and ongoing impact of Residential Schools.”

Service members raised an Every Child Matters flag at Toronto Police Headquarters before attending the ceremony for the opening of a Spirit Garden outside City Hall and took part in the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre Indigenous Legacy Gathering.

Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit Liaison Officer Constable Richard Warman said the day is a recognition of the past as a means to look forward as a policing service.

“The more understanding that we have the better able we are able to serve our community and tailor our interactions from that point of view, recognizing the trauma, recognizing the history” Warman said. “And how we move forward together to better those relationships.”