TRC National Closing Ceremony
June 1, 2015
OTTAWA—Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston will host the closing ceremony of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at Rideau Hall, on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at 12:15 p.m.
The TRC is holding its closing events from May 31 to June 3 in Ottawa after having spent six years hearing the truth about Canada's Indian Residential Schools and establishing a reconciliation process that will lead to better relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.
Her Excellency Sharon Johnston was among those inducted as honorary witnesses during a ceremony that was held earlier today, June 1, and will take part in the Honorary Witness Talking Circle on Tuesday, June 2. Both events will take place at the Delta Hotel. The Governor General was inducted as honorary witness in 2014.
The closing events at Rideau Hall, on Wednesday June 3,will unfold in two parts:
12:15 p.m.
Closing Ceremony
Remarks will be delivered by the Governor General and all three commissioners (Chief Wilton Littlechild, Justice Murray Sinclair and Marie Wilson).
Ballroom
OPEN TO MEDIA
1:15 p.m.
Planting of a Heart Garden
A Heart Garden will be planted to symbolize reconciliation. Approximately 500 school children from the Ottawa-Gatineau area will attend the event.
Rideau Hall Grounds
OPEN TO MEDIA
About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an independent commission established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 150-year history of the residential schools, and to guide and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect. For more information, visit www.trc.ca.
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Media wishing to cover the events at Rideau Hall on June 3 must be accredited through TRC and, due to limited space, must confirm their attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office before 4 p.m., on Tuesday, June 2.
For more information on accreditation, please contact Caitlin Kealey.
Due to construction work, accredited media are asked to arrive at the residence’s main entrance no later than 11:45 a.m. on the day of the ceremony.
Media information:
Julie Rocheleau
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-998-7280
julie.rocheleau@gg.ca
Caitlin Kealey
TRC Ottawa Closing Events Media Relations
613-818-7956
caitlin@mediastyle.ca
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