By Rosalind Russell-
We all know the sound of a train, but there is a special one that is ringing out across Northern Ontario.
Local residential school survivor June Commanda is sounding the horn on the newly painted orange ‘Every Child Matters’ Ontario Northland locomotive at a special ceremony yesterday.
At the unveiling, Commanda shared her story of being taken from her home in Nipissing First nation, put on a train and sent away to St. Joseph’s residential school in Spanish.
The locomotive is part of the Polar Bear Express train that travels from Cochrane to Moosonee.
ONTC President Corina Moore says this is more than just a coat of paint, it’s about raising awareness, listening and learning with open hearts.