- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

Yesterday was a day of words, images, reflection, remembrance.

Today the days of action begin.  Three suggestions for immediate action in Owen Sound.

1) Immediately put name signage, visible to the vehicular users of the bridge, on the Gitche Namewikwedong Bridge that was dedicated more than three months ago. In keeping with our practice, it could be identical to the Veterans' Bridge or Tom Thomson Bridge, or could be much more interesting, but it must be visible and legible..

2) Immediately, if temporarily, change the name of the park at 8th St. East and 5th Ave. to “8th Street Park”. The sign identifying it as Ryerson Park was removed after the first bodies were located at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, presumably to avoid it being a focus as Ryerson's statues have been. But the name remains on the City website without comment. The City intends to re-visit the naming policy, but this one should not wait.

3) Immediately commit to posting and enforcing “no parking” on the Nawash burial ground (now called Mary Miller Park) on Canada Day as people use it as a parking lot for fireworks watching. We should also re-visit the history of that land, and publicly discuss its re-patriation.

None of these simple concrete actions will happen unless you - the people who wore orange and offered tobacco - ask for them. Nor will the commitment to the municipal calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report, including adoption of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) by our municipal council. 

Orange shirts are symbolic.  We must show we understand the symbolism and are ready to roll up those orange sleeves and commit to the challenging work ahead.