Members of the SMU community gather for a special song and smudge ceremony led by Professor Raymond Sewell before the Campus Reflection Walk.
On Thursday, September 26, members of the Saint Mary’s community gathered on the Quad for a Campus Reflection Walk in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This important event brought students, faculty and staff together to honour Indigenous communities, show gratitude for the land we are privileged to live, work and study on, and reflect on our collective role in reconciliation.
Tom Brophy, Associate Vice President, Student Affairs and Services, welcomed more than 50 participants on the campus Quad. He took a moment to offer a thoughtful land acknowledgment, recognizing Mi’kma’ki as the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Brophy emphasized that the Mi’kmaq people are not only the original inhabitants of this region but also its long-standing stewards, caring for Mother Earth for countless generations.
President Summerby-Murray (second from right) joined faculty, staff and students for the walk and to discuss truth and reconciliation.
The event began with a meaningful prayer and song led by Professor Raymond Sewell, L’nu singer-songwriter and Assistant Professor in the English Language and Literature Department. Participants stood in a circle around Sewell as he performed the song using a turtle shell rattle, symbolizing the Creation story and Turtle Island. Sewell then led a traditional smudging ceremony, inviting everyone to cleanse themselves with the smoke. He shared a reflection on how the sage smoke ties people together like a braid.
Following the ceremony, participants embarked on a marked path around campus where posters along the walk posed thought-provoking questions. The prompts centered around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the Treaties of Peace and Friendship. The walk encouraged reflection on the histories of Mi’kmaq people and on our responsibilities as Treaty people. Some fell into quiet contemplation, while others engaged in meaningful discussions about the ways the University and the Saint Mary’s community can actively support the ongoing journey toward understanding, healing and reconciliation.
“Taking the time to participate in this reflective walk and to acknowledge the histories and treatment of Indigenous people is a crucial step in our journey toward understanding and honouring the truths of our history,” notes President Summerby-Murray. “The meaningful dialogue that stemmed from these important questions helps us continue to move forward in building a more inclusive campus and learning environment for all.”
As we head into October, Saint Mary’s has organized a number of initiatives around Truth and Reconciliation, Treaty Day and National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People. To learn more about what’s coming up visit SMU News.