Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad will attend a Sunrise Ceremony and a Lighting of the Sacred Fire at the PNE Grounds on Sept. 18, to mark the beginning of the sixth national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The Commission invites former students to share truths about their experience at Indian Residential Schools, and invites British Columbians to witness and support the resilience of Aboriginal cultures. Hearings will be held at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver until Saturday.

The Lighting of the Sacred Fire occurs before each TRC national event, in keeping with Aboriginal spiritual traditions. The fire remains lit for the duration of the event to ensure the spirits and teachings guide and protect participants during the course of the Commission's work. The Sacred Fire, which Elders tend and oversee, also is used by the TRC to assist with survivors' healing.

A Survivors' Walk to the Pacific Coliseum immediately follows the Sunrise Ceremony and Lighting of the Sacred Fire.

On the final day of B.C.'s national event, Sept. 21, ashes will be collected from the Sacred Fire. They will be stored safely in Winnipeg and then added to the Sacred Fire in Edmonton, which will host the seventh and final TRC national event in March 2014.

Established in 2008, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is one of the components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which was negotiated by the Government of Canada, Aboriginal organizations, the churches and former students. Its purpose is to create a lasting, positive legacy of the stories and experiences of Indian Residential School survivors.

Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211