Winnipeg IKEA raises flag to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Staff at the IKEA in Winnipeg held a flag raising ceremony on Tuesday to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or NDTR as it’s often called. According to one of the store’s managers, workers have been dedicating time to learn about the history of Indigenous culture and to educate themselves on residential schools. “Making sure our co-worker base understands the history of Manitoba and the history in our community,” said Andrea Dreilich, the store’s communications manager. “At IKEA one of our visions is to make sure everyone is comfortable here. Our home is your home, and we want to make sure everyone in our community feels welcome.” In 2021, the federal government under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, established Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Ceremonies are held across the country to honour Indigenous Peoples who went through the residential school system. Edward Budd was invited to raise the orange survivor’s flag at the ceremony. “I just thought of my family, my ancestors,” he said. “My mother, she went to residential school. She was in Guy Hill and a lot of painful stories, so I kept them in mind.” Guy Hill, also known as Clearwater, was located in various places around The Pas, Man., located about 625 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. It operated from 1952 to 1979 according to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Watch Julia’s story about the exhibition and display room in the IKEA here: Dreilich said the flag raising was one of many opportunities IKEA has organized to bring workers together and provide a deeper connection to Indigenous stories. “Hearing our stories of our community of the pain and the loss, it’s extremely impactful for both our coworkers who have been impacted, but those who haven’t, just being able to understand what is happening in our community, has been really important to us,” she said. Budd told APTN News that he appreciated the effort by the store. “I would say this is a good acknowledgment of residential school history and the people but I also think it’s good for any people that’s been oppressed,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing. I think that’s part of why people are here, and we have a lot of people from all over the world and they come from very difficult backgrounds.” Continue Reading