Join us in RiverMill Park
Huntsville On.
4:00pm-8:00pm

2023 Hope Arises project Inc, Orange Shirt Day Scholarship

Local student, Alice D., from Muskoka Montessori School was selected to receive the 2023 Hope Arises Project Inc. Orange Shirt Day Scholarship. Alice received a $100 scholarship and her artwork submission is featured on this year's orange t-shirt. 

Virtual Event: Ribbon skirts & Shirts with Natalie Pepin

On April 25, 2023, we hosted our first knowledge-sharing event. Special guest, Natalie Pepin, joined us virtually to teach us about ribbon skirts/shirts, their history, their importance, and the beautiful teachings they share. Our community learned about who wears ribbon skirts/shirts, where we wear them, and what they represent.

Presentation to Town Council

On January 30, 2023, Hope Arises Project Inc.'s president and vice-president had the opportunity to present to Her Worship, Nancy Alcock and council for the Town of Huntsville respecting Hope Arises Project Inc., our cultural competency initiatives, and our continued relationship with the Town of Huntsville. 

Partnership with the Huntsville public library 

On January 27, 2023, Hope Arises Project Inc. and the Huntsville public library announced their official partnership. 

Ribbon Rolling Workshop

On January 13, 2023, we hosted a ribbon rolling workshop at the Huntsville Public Library. Participants learned about the residential school system in Canada while helping us prepare ribbons for our ongoing orange ribbon campaign. Joyce delivered an emotional and thought-provoking experience at this hands-on, educational event. 

Incorporation & First Donation

In November of 2022, Hope Arises Project Inc. was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit. Following the opening of our corporate accounts, we received our first donation from one of our community partners, Deerhurst Resort. Huntsville Mayor, Nancy Alcock also attended to wish us well. 

Orange Shirt Day 2021/2022

Hope Arises Project and the Huntsville Public Library have worked together to arrange Huntsville's Orange Shirt Day march and gathering. On both occasions, our president, Joyce Jonathan Crone, was invited to speak at this annual day of remembrance and reflection

Rivermill park Installation 

In 2021 the Town of Huntsville partnered with Hope Arises Project by supporting the installation of orange ribbons in Rivermill Park. Downtown businesses displayed vessels of ribbons; free for the public to take. In solidarity, many added their ribbons alongside the ones in Rivermill Park to help Hope Arises Project create a sacred space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to reflect, learn, and heal. Each ribbon is inscribed with the name of a child who attended residential school and never made it home. We continue to make orange ribbons available to the public through our community partners. You can still find orange ribbons adorning local businesses, private residences, and the trees in Rivermill Park. 

Stand in silence vigil 

In May of 2021, two Huntsville mothers, Joyce Crone and Robyn Taylor discussed the devastating discovery of 215 children in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in BC. Joyce and Robyn saw a need to act and Hope Arises Project was born. They worked to create "Stand in Silence"; a vigil held on the Highway 11 overpass at Ravenscliffe Road. They purchased orange fabric to cut into ribbons that were distributed to those assembled for the vigil. The ribbons waved in the breeze as travellers on the highway below honked and waved in support of the children and families impacted by the horrific legacy of Canadian residential schools.