Flag Raising in Central Frontenac for National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Oct 02, 2024

Chief Doreen Davis of the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and Central Frontenac Mayor (also Frontenac County Warden) Frances Smith with the flag that was raised soon after in front of the Central Frontenac Township Office in Sharbot Lake to mark the 4th Truth and Reconciliatoin Day on Monday (September 30)

The two women were both raised and have lived and worked for their entire lives in the Sharbot Lake area.

“It’s so sad what happened to all of those kids and every child does matter. And we need to keep that in our minds and hearts, and not just today but every day,” France Smith said. “Today is the Day of Reconciliation, and what that means is we are here together.

“We all love this beautiful land,” said Chief Doreen. “We all cherish it and together we can protect it and we can make it better. And that’s what I find with this little hamlet. I’ve been here 77 years. You call yourselves Settlers, but we call you Family. We have been here together, always. When we called upon you to help us with the uranium protest, you were there with us, as you had been before and after. And we continue to build this bridge and continue to build these strong relationships.

After the flag raising, those in attendance were given the opportunity to smudge, and some took up the offer.