Members of Diamond North Credit Union and Reconciliation Nipawin. (Facebook/Reconciliation Nipawin)

By Rachel May

Truth and Reconciliation

Every Child Matters orange bench set up in Nipawin

Jul 27, 2023 | 12:00 PM

Reconciliation Nipawin is looking to spread the message of truth and reconciliation year-round with its newest project.

Diamond North Credit Union has partnered with the group to bring an orange bench to the community to remind those who pass by of the importance of creating a safe space for people to heal.

Denise Blomquist, co-chair of Reconciliation Nipawin, told northeastNOW the idea was to have a symbol of residential schools as well as Every Child Matters.

“We had already ordered one bench for ourselves and (Diamond North Credit Union) decided that they wanted to partner with us, and they wanted to put benches in communities where they have branches.”

The goal is to eventually have an orange bench in every community that has a Diamond North Credit Union branch as well as surrounding First Nations providing there is permission from the community.

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Blomquist explained that the benches would be donated.

“It’s kind of it’s a very visual symbol of reconciliation like the orange shirt day, but year-round.”

The bench in Nipawin is placed outside of Family Bakery where a mural painted by Horton Severight is displayed.

The combination of the mural and bench creates a space for everyone driving down 1st Avenue to reflect on the impact that residential schools continue to have on Indigenous people across the country.

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM