As Truth & Reconciliation recognition month came to a close on September 30th (2026), it was time to gather on the bridge that spans the Saugeen River, between Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation, for the annual ceremony led by G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton.
G. C. Huston Public School is unique. It is a school where the student body is made up equally of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
It is also a school where the Indigenous culture is embraced – where Ojibway language is taught, where Indigenous art flourishes, where nature is taught in an outdoor classroom and where the school teachers and students organize and lead the day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th (2025).
Students and teachers, along with students from other area schools, residents of Southampton and dignitaries from across Bruce County led the way to the Zgaa-biig-ni-gan (We are Connected) Bridge.
The bridge was renamed Zgaa-biig-ni-gan on June 21, 2018, under the guidance of then-principal, Dan Russell and Saugeen First Nation elders and it became a symbol of connection between the two communities of Saugeen Shores and Saugeen First Nation.
Ojibway teacher Marilyn Roote brought greetings on behalf of her students who then performed O’Canada in Ojibway.
The Women’s Drumming Group of Saugeen First Nation has been singing together fostering a strong bond and shared purpose. The core women have been together for over two decades and the group spans many generations ensuring their traditions are carried on. Their songs are both ceremonial and social reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe people. The group is frequently called upon to lend their voices at various functions opening and closing ceremonies and their music serves as a powerful tool for their language promotion and healing by connecting both singers and listeners to the spirit of the Anishinaabe language. Each singer belongs to a specific clan and holds an Anishinaabe name and their culture is reflected in the colours in their ribbon skirts adding another layer to their spiritual performances.
Saugeen Shores Mayor and Warden of Bruce County, Luke Charbonneau said that he was pleased to see many leaders and mayors, councillors and staffs from the various municipalities throughout the region. “We commit to understanding the truth about what happened due to colonization at residential schools and commit to reconciliation that means continuing down a path toward healing along with the peoples of Saugeen Ojibway Nation and all the Indigenous peoples of our country. Today, that path has taken us to this bridge and we have been led here by the young people of G.C. Huston Public school.”
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb also attended the ceremony saying that “It is a tremendous honour to have been invited and to attend today. I have to say a word of appreciation to G. C. Huston School and the School Board who support this in such a magnificent way and to have a week of learning and remembering is fantastic. It is about coming together and about reconciliation and it’s powerful to see how many people are here today.”
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