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HOW THE INDIGENOUS GRASSROOTS CIRCLE IS BUILDING UNITY IN EASTERN ONTARIO
BENOIT CASTONGUAY nouvelles@eap.on.ca
Based on the 2021 census from Statis- tics Canada, over 4,100 residents in Pres- cott-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 expe- riences of Indigenous residents across Prescott and Russell, Pace highlights the comprehensive IGCEO community program- ming that includes cultural gatherings, peer support circles, community education, advo- cacy, 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 Commu- nity.’ And that’s what I’m trying to create... not just a physical space, although that’s really important, but creating those tem- porary spaces so that people can come together and walk the good path.» la PPO a conclu à un homicide. Depuis juin 2026, cinq personnes ont été arrêtées et inculpées dans le cadre de cette enquête. Un mandat d’arrêt a désormais été délivré à l’encontre de Cathy Percey, 53 ans, d’Ottawa, recherchée pour meurtre au premier degré. Toute personne disposant d’informa- tions concernant cette enquête est priée de contacter la PPO du comté de Russell au 1-888-310-1122. Si vous souhaitez rester ano- nyme, contactez Crime Stoppers au 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) ou rendez- vous sur ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
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 lea- ders 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
Le 30 septembre, les communautés de Prescott et de Russell se sont rassemblées à l’occasion de la Journée du t-shirt orange et de la Journée nationale de la vérité et de la réconciliation afin de réfléchir à l’histoire du pays, de rendre hommage aux survivants et de prendre des mesures en faveur de la réconciliation. (IGCEO)
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 focu- sing 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 Gene- rations 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 gene- rations, on average. And those seven gene- rations 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 sur- rounding the education and representation of the region’s Indigenous presence, history, and lived trauma.
UNE FEMME D’OTTAWA RECHERCHÉE DANS LE CADRE DE L’AFFAIRE DU MEURTRE DE ROBERT PREVOST ÉQUIPE EAP nouvelles@eap.on.ca
LES SPÉCIALISTES THE SPECIALIST 4
La Police provinciale de l’Ontario (PPO) a émis un mandat d’arrêt à l’encontre d’une autre personne impli- quée dans l’affaire du meurtre d’un homme de Clarence-Rockland. Robert Prevost, âgé de 63 ans, a été vu pour la dernière fois à son domicile de la rue Laurier, à Clarence-Rockland, début février 2025, et sa disparition a été signalée début mars. Le 17 mai 2025, son corps a été repê- ché dans la rivière des Outaouais, au large de la rue Dallaire. À l’issue d’une autopsie,
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