On September 30, communities across Prescott and Russell came together as part of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to reflect on the nation’s history, honour survivors, and take steps toward reconciliation.

Organized by the Indigenous Grassroots Circle of Eastern Ontario (IGCEO), the 6th annual gathering of the Walk of Sorrow united First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous allies in Clarence-Rockland under the guiding principle of «Unity in Community.»

The Beginning of a regional tradition
Helen Pace, chief executive officer (CEO) and Circle Lead of IGCEO, explained that the journey began in 2021 following the identification of over 200 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

A small gathering was organized in Rockland in just 72 hours. Roughly 20 to 25 people walked down Laurier Street to grieve, reflect, and make their presence known.

Now in its sixth edition, the 2026 Walk of Sorrow, organized in Clarence-Rockland, united hundreds of participants including youth from the CIH Hockey Academy, local Girl Guides, educators, and municipal leaders on Laurier Street before moving toward Parc du Moulin.

Guided by Grandparents Gerry Villeneuve and Cathy Brake-Villeneuve, Elder Roger Gamache and special teachings by Chief Jason Arbour, the afternoon at the park centred around community, ceremony, stories, and sacred fire. IGCEO values the partnership with Valoris who brought Elder Luce Bélanger later in the afternoon to speak during the gathering.

For Pace, the Walk of Sorrow provides a safe communal space for community members to process their grief, reclaim their heritage, and heal together.

«Pretty much every single Indigenous person has somebody in their family that was a victim of residential school, day school, Sixties Scoop… There’s been a lot of stories passed down, and there’s a lot of people still living those stories,» she noted.

A Pan-Indigenous Circle
According to Pace, the IGCEO is a not-for-profit corporation representing a broad pan-Indigenous collective including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and non-Indigenous allies in Eastern Ontario. Rather than focusing on political or jurisdictional divides, the Circle emphasizes commonalities and shared values.

«We’re a pan-organization. We’re Métis, we’re First Nations, we’re Inuit, and we’re allies. It’s important that people understand that a pan-organization needs to focus on not just differences but the things that we have in common and share,» she explained.

Operating under the guiding motto «Unity in Community,» the Circle brings together individuals, families, and regional partners.

According to the Circle Lead, their approach is deeply rooted in ancestral governance, particularly the Seven Generations principle, taught by Grandparents and knowledge keepers, reminding everyone that decisions made today must protect the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being of the next seven generations.

«In your lifespan, you’ll see seven generations, on average. And those seven generations will see the next seven generations, and so on… So we’re always thinking about making the path better for the next seven generations,» she added.

Local representation and education
According to Pace, the IGCEO aims to address a void in Prescott and Russell surrounding the education and representation of the region’s Indigenous presence, history, and lived trauma.

Based on the 2021 census from Statistics Canada, over 4,100 residents in Prescott-Russell self-identified as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and others). Pace points out that this number only captures individuals who decided to identify openly.

«These are only the people who have the courage to identify. Because I can tell you right now, many people have not,» she explained.

Recognizing the diversity of lived experiences of Indigenous residents across Prescott and Russell, Pace highlights the comprehensive IGCEO community programming that includes cultural gatherings, peer support circles, community education, advocacy, and civic governance.

«One of the greatest things that I wanted was to see Indigenous people come out of the woodwork and be proud of who they are,» she stated.

Expanding regional impact
The organization’s momentum continues to expand through broad cross-sector partnerships with entities such as the City of Clarence-Rockland, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell, Archipel OHT and regional libraries and businesses.

The IGCEO is inviting individual and business allies to reach out to learn more about their community impact.

«Our motto for IGCEO is ‘Unity in Community.’ And that’s what I’m trying to create… not just a physical space, although that’s really important, but creating those temporary spaces so that people can come together and walk the good path,” added Pace.