Chief Warren Tabobondung (Retired)
Wasauksing First Nation
Anishinabek Knowledge Carrier.
September 30, 2026 · Parry Sound
Unite For Good
Gathering
Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation,
shared through an Indigenous lens.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts · Parry Sound
Together in
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Days
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Hours
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Minutes
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Seconds
The Invitation
The Unite For Good Gathering is not a performance. It is a respectful invitation for all peoples' to gather with open hearts, to listen with humility and learn through an Indigenous lens as we walk forward together in a good way, the Anishinabek way.
Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is a day where Canadians honour Indigenous People, their families, communities and residential school survivors and the children whom have never returned home. Canada's National Day of Truth and Reconciliation calls on all of us as Canadians, neighbours, community and business leaders as genuine friends of the Anishinaabe to reflect on what reconciliation truly means.
The Unite For Good Gathering is an evening of Anishinaabek Knowledge Sharing, expressed through traditional ways of oral storytelling, song, drumming and dance shared through an Indigenous lens, in a kind way. The Unite For Good Gathering is an invitation for all peoples' to gather with open hearts and together, walking forward united on a shared path of respect and understanding while building a better, more inclusive tomorrow for future generations.
Truth & Reconciliation
Canada's National Day of
Truth and Reconciliation.
Truth begins when we as settlers and Canadian citizens truly listen to Indigenous voices, cultural expression, oral traditions and lived histories so we may better understand the lasting impacts of colonial policies, residential schools and broken promises. Reconciliation is not about controlling, shaping, managing, or speaking over Indigenous peoples' and their stories. Reconciliation is about listening with humility, respecting what is shared and acknowledging truth through an Indigenous lens, shared in a kind way, the Anishinabek way.
Reconciliation is the shared responsibility carried by all Canadians. It begins with meaningful action and an honest willingness to better understand Canada's "true" history while rebuilding respectful relationships rooted in renewed trust, peaceful coexistence, healing, sensitivity and learning. Truth and Reconciliation calls upon genuine friends of Indigenous People to stand together, unite in recognition of Indigenous inherent rights, sovereignty and Treaties signed long before Canada became a country as we unite for good to create a more inclusive, stronger and respectful future of all peoples' and for those yet to walk upon Mother Earth.
The Evening
An evening of song, drumming,
dance and storytelling.
5:30
Social
5:30 – 6:30 PM
6:45
Knowledge Sharing
6:45 – 10:00 PM
Guided by respected Knowledge Carriers with cultural teachings carried through the sacred power of song, drum and dance, including a member of the Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning Bear Creek Singers. These are living teachings where shared stories carry ancestral truths, songs hold strength and the drum connects us all to the sacred heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Anishinabek Knowledge Carriers
Leaders who
carry the teachings.
Chief Adam Pawis
Shawanaga First Nation
Culture Awareness and Sensitivity.
Chief Dean Sayers (Former)
Batchewana First Nation
Anishinaabe Rights and Sovereignty.
Featuring a member of the Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning Bear Creek Singers.
The phrase "once a Chief, always a Chief" reflects a respectful cultural understanding that leadership carries a lifelong responsibility. While not a universal teaching shared by all Nations, it acknowledges the enduring respect often given to those who have served their people with dignity, wisdom and commitment. In this way, leadership is understood not simply as a position, but as a lifelong duty of service, stewardship and care, honoured according to each Nation's own customs, protocols, and traditions.
Two-Eyed Seeing
Two-Eyed Seeing, or Etuaptmumk, is a guiding principle that fosters a respectful relationship between Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Western worldviews. Two-Eyed Seeing invites us to walk a shared path by seeing with one lens through the depth of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and with the other viewed through the strengths of Western science and learning, weaving both perspectives together without allowing one to overpower the other. Two-Eyed Seeing helps create a balanced path forward, rooted in trust, respect, knowledge, shared prosperity and a lasting responsibility to Mother Earth and those yet to walk upon Mother Earth.
Where the Proceeds Go
A community evening
that gives back.
As genuine friends of Indigenous Peoples', we created the Unite For Good Gathering to help bring the broader community together to unite with shared purpose and open hearts. It is an opportunity for West Parry Sound, Muskoka and neighbouring municipalities, Rotary International, Corporate Canada, educators, students, business and community leaders and good-hearted Canadians across the land to strengthen reconciliation through deeper understanding. The Unite For Good Gathering proceeds will help support community youth, culture, conservation and shared community services that help our region grow more connected and stronger together in a good way, the Anishinabek way.
- Youth of West Parry Sound and Muskoka
- 7Gens Swimming (Georgian Bay, North Central Ontario)
- Indigenous Youth, Singing, Dance and Drumming
- Wilder Institute Conservation
- Rosseau Lake College Seven Generations Program
- Local Service Clubs Providing Essential Community-First Services
Our Sponsors
Stand with us.
Fill the room.
Every sponsor helps fill the Stockey Centre with genuine friends of the First Peoples of Canada, and helps this evening give back to the youth and community programs it supports.
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Become a Sponsor
Sponsor tiers and the full case for support. Reach out and we'll walk you through it.
Presented By
Truth and Reconciliation In-Action, presented by the Rotary Revival Club of Parry Sound, expressed through an Indigenous lens with purpose, respect and kindness, shared in a good way, the Anishinabek Way.
Explorers' Edge
Associate Partner
Minute Man Parry Sound
Associate Partner
Rotary Revival Club Parry Sound
Presenting Partner
Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce
Associate Partner
Rotary District 7010
Associate Partner
