MKO Traditional Healer Program

Orange Shirt Day – Voices in the Wind

On September 30, 2026, the MKO Traditional Healer Program had the honour of providing three Tipis with teachings in the beautiful green space at the Boreal Discovery Centre.

Throughout the day, parents and children were welcomed into the BDC and provided teachings about Orange Shirt Day, Truth and Reconciliation, and the meaning behind Every Child Matters. It was a day of remembrance, learning, healing, and hope.

As the wind moved gently around the Tipis, it felt as though the voices of our ancestors were with us. Their stories, their strength, and their memories remained present in the space. There was healing in the laughter of the children—a sound that carries deep meaning when we remember the generations of children who were taken from their families and whose laughter was silenced.

The laughter we heard that day was more than joy. It was a reminder that our children are still here. They are carrying forward the voices, teachings, languages, cultures, and traditions that residential schools tried to take away.

Through the teachings of Rhoda Thompson, children were introduced to traditional medicines and learned about the plants that have been used for generations to bring healing, balance, and wellness. These teachings reminded us that medicine is not only found in plants—it is also found in knowledge, connection, culture, family, and community.

We were deeply honoured by the presence of the Binesi Ikwewag Women’s Big Drum Group, whose songs filled the gathering with strength and spirit. As the drum echoed, you could feel the heartbeat of Mother Earth beneath every beat. The songs carried honour for the children who never made it home, for the survivors, for the families who continue to carry their stories, and for the generations yet to come.

One of the most meaningful moments was watching the youth from the Boys and Girls Club work alongside traditionalists as they learned how to set up the three Tipis. Each pole carried a teaching. Each step became an opportunity to learn. Mary Azure Laubman shared teachings connected to each pole, with the teachings she learned from Mervin McKay that guided the youth through the traditional process.[ he was on a video reminding of the teachings]

The youth listened. They watched. They participated. They absorbed the old ways.

In those moments, we were reminded that Truth and Reconciliation is not only about remembering the past—it is about ensuring that the teachings continue into the future.

It was a sacred time.

Three Tipis stood together in the green space, above them was the sky. Beneath them was Mother Earth.

And everywhere in the BDC the laughter of the children was something powerful, because it carried that hope:

Hope.

Hope that our children will know who they are.
Hope that they will know where they come from.
Hope that our languages and teachings will continue.
Hope that our cultures will remain strong.
Hope that healing will continue from one generation to the next.

On Orange Shirt Day, we remember those who did not make it home.

We honour the survivors.

We hold the families close.

And we stand with the children of today—the generations who carry the strength of those who came before them.

Every Child Matters.

Every Voice Matters.

Every Story Matters.

We Remember. We Honour. We Teach. We Heal. We Carry Forward.

May the voices of our ancestors continue to whisper through the wind, reminding us that their stories live on through our children.

The MKO Traditional Healer Program were honoured to have with us:
Rhoda Thompson
Mary Azure-Laubman
Karl Laubman
Healer Andrew Pelletier
Hector Spence
Trevor Catcheway
Kayla Bee
Ritchie Bee
Jae-Leign Nazzie
Ellen Weenusk
Youth- Boys & Girls Club
Special shout out to the Boreal Discovery Centre for the use of their beautiful Green Space, and to Matt Courvoisuer- The Facility Person at the BDC, who took part in setting up the last tipi, thank you so much for your kindness Matt

Han/Hau Mitakuyapi, Pindiigaiin, Wotziye, Tansi, Waahjiye!!

on behalf of the MKO Traditional Healer Program, we would like to sincerely thank École Riverside School for welcoming us back again this year and allowing us to share in such a meaningful day.

It was an honour to spend time with the students and staff, sharing teachings, stories, smudging, and the sound of the traditional drum as we reflected on the importance of Truth and Reconciliation.

A special thank you to Elder Jack Robinson and Traditional Healer Andrew Pelletier for sharing their knowledge, teachings, and time with everyone.

We are grateful to continue this meaningful relationship with École Riverside School each year and to be part of helping the younger generations understand why we wear orange and why Every Child Matters.

Kinanaskimitnaw | Meegwetch | Masi Cho | Pilamayaye | Merci | Thank you

~ MKO Traditional Healer Program🪶

🧡 A Tribute to Creativity, Culture & Reconciliation 🧡

Every Child Matters – Orange Shirt Day 2026

The MKO Traditional Healer Program staff came together in a beautiful spirit of creativity, unity, and remembrance as we prepared for Orange Shirt Day on September 30, 2026.

Our dedicated staff created special orange T-shirt signs for the models who will proudly display the beautiful ribbon skirts they have lovingly created in honour of Truth and Reconciliation and Every Child Matters.

We had such a wonderful day working together, creating orange shirt signs for our models and sharing laughter, creativity, and meaningful moments along the way. Each sign and every ribbon skirt represents the love, strength, resilience, and cultural pride of our Indigenous Peoples.

The beautiful ribbon skirts will be proudly showcased at the Every Child Matters – Orange Shirt Day event at the TRCC in Thompson, Manitoba, on September 30, 2026.

We are so proud of everyone who contributed their time, talents, and hearts to making this special event meaningful. Through our creativity, we honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors, their families, and all those who continue to carry the impacts of residential schools.

To***co ties were lovingly made and will be offered to the Sacred Fire in remembrance of the children and loved ones who never made it home, in honour of the families who continue to carry their stories, and in recognition of the Survivors whose strength and voices will never be forgotten.

As the to***co ties rise with our prayers, may the Sacred Fire carry our love, our remembrance, and our promise to honour those who came before us.

We remember those who are gone. We honour those who remain. We listen to the voices of our relatives, whispering through the generations.
May we continue to walk together in healing, understanding, and reconciliation, while celebrating the strength and beauty of our cultures.

Every Child Matters. Every Story Matters. Every Step Toward Reconciliation Matters.

🧡 With love, pride, and gratitude,
The MKO Traditional Healer Program Staff

September 30, 2026 – Truth and Reconciliation Day

🧡 Honouring Every Child Matters Through Creativity, Culture & Community 🧡

The MKO Traditional Healer Program was honoured to host an inspiring Orange Shirt Day creative session, where participants came together to create beautiful ribbon skirts, beaded earrings, and Orange Shirt Day T-shirt pins.

Each creation represents more than art—it represents culture, remembrance, healing, strength, and solidarity. Through these meaningful pieces, participants had the opportunity to proudly express their support for Every Child Matters and honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors, their families, and generations to come.

These beautiful creations will be proudly showcased during the Orange Shirt Day Fashion Show on September 30, 2026, at the TRCC in Thompson, Manitoba.

As our participants walk the runway wearing their ribbon skirts and beaded earrings, they will carry a powerful message of love, resilience, remembrance, and hope.

🧡 Every Child Matters.
🧡 Every Story Matters.
🧡 Every Survivor Matters.
🧡 Our Culture Matters.

Together, we walk forward with respect, remembrance, and a commitment to keeping the spirit of Every Child Matters alive. 🧡

A warm and grateful shout out to the amazing facilitators of the sessions:

🧡 Christine Sawatzky-Ribbon Skirts
🧡 Katherine Nazzie- Beaded Earrings & Pins

Happening this evening. PLEASE USE EMAIL TO REGISTER [email protected]. There is no transportation available this evening.. thank you for your understanding.

for all those who have registered, please go to the back door of museum!

🧡 𝐵𝐸𝒜𝒟𝐸𝒟 𝒪𝑅𝒜𝒩𝒢𝐸 𝒮𝐻𝐼𝑅𝒯 𝒫𝐼𝒩𝒮 & 𝐸𝒜𝑅𝑅𝐼𝒩𝒢𝒮 𝒲𝒪𝑅𝒦𝒮𝐻𝒪𝒫 🧡

In honour of Orange Shirt Day, the MKO Traditional Healer Program invites you to join us for a special beading workshop. Come together to learn, create and honour the children, survivors, families and communities affected by the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day is an important time to remember the children who never returned home, honour residential school Survivors and acknowledge the lasting impacts of residential schools. It reminds us that Every Child Matters and encourages all of us to continue learning, listening and supporting healing and reconciliation.

DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOW:

📅 𝒜𝓊𝑔𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝟤𝟦–𝟤𝟩, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨

⏰ 𝟦:𝟢𝟢 𝓅.𝓂.–𝟪:𝟢𝟢 𝓅.𝓂.

📍 𝐻𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝒩𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝑀𝓊𝓈𝑒𝓊𝓂
𝟣𝟨𝟤 𝒫𝓇𝒾𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓉𝑜𝓃 𝒟𝓇𝒾𝓋𝑒, 𝒯𝒽𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓈𝑜𝓃, 𝑀𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓉𝑜𝒷𝒶

📣🌟 ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ ＨＩＧＨＬＩＧＨＴ 🌟📣
👉 ᴀʟʟ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴋꜱʜᴏᴘ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ꜰᴇᴀᴛᴜʀᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀᴀɴɢᴇ ꜱʜɪʀᴛ ᴅᴀʏ ꜰᴀꜱʜɪᴏɴ ꜱʜᴏᴡ! 👈

𝐼𝓃𝓈𝓉𝓇𝓊𝒸𝓉𝑜𝓇: 𝒦𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒩𝒶𝓏𝓏𝒾𝑒

All supplies will be provided!!!
Registration is required—please scan the QR code and select the day you will be attending.
Spots are limited, so register early to secure your place! 🧡

To ensure a safe and focused workshop environment, we kindly ask that no children attend.

ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ɪɴꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴀᴄᴛ:
ᴊᴀᴇ-ʟᴇɪɢɴ ɴᴀᴢᴢɪᴇ
📧: ᴊᴀᴇ.ʟᴇɪɢɴ.ɴᴀᴢᴢɪᴇ@ᴍᴋᴏɴᴏʀᴛʜ.ᴄᴏᴍ

ᴇʟʟᴇɴ ᴡᴇᴇɴᴜꜱᴋ
📧: ᴇʟʟᴇɴ.ᴡᴇᴇɴᴜꜱᴋ@ᴍᴋᴏɴᴏʀᴛʜ.ᴄᴏᴍ

ᴛʀᴀᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ʜᴇᴀʟᴇʀ ᴘʀᴏɢʀᴀᴍ ᴏꜰꜰɪᴄᴇ
📞: (𝟐𝟎𝟒) 𝟔𝟕𝟕-𝟏𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐱𝐭. 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭. 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟓