By Henna Bhavsar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, muskokaregion.com
September 30, 2025
On Sept. 22, the Survivors’ Flag was raised outside of Civic Square in Huntsville.
Joyce Jonathan Crone, a Huntsville resident and the founder of Indigenous not-for-profit organization Hope Arises Project, began the flag raising with a smudging and a reading of the names of 22 children who were never found.
The Survivors’ Flag honours the residential school survivors, both to remember them as well as acknowledge the harm and impact the residential school system has done to Indigenous communities across Canada.
“There are many children who are voiceless and who have not been found and who have been forgotten, and we can’t forget, we can’t forget about bringing those children home,” said Crone.
A second-generation survivor of residential schools, Crone says she feels honoured to be the person who educates and collaborates with the town to find resolutions and challenge non-Indigenous residents.
Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock, who was also in attendance, says Hope Arises Project and Crone have been a “force in our community.”
Alcock says Crone challenges and guides the community to respect and understand the history and how to move forward.
Crone, who is Haudenosaunee, Mohawk and Turtle clan, says she felt emotional yet hopeful after the flag raising.
“It just is a grounding of support and what it does, I really feel, it’s laying a foundation,” said Crone. “It’s the roots and that just like a tree, we are stronger when we are together — when those roots spread out.”
On National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept. 30, a walk will take place in Huntsville at 10:45 a.m. at River Mill Park.
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Henna Bhavsar is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for MuskokaRegion.com. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
