The Third Annual Indian Residential School Gathering, to be held Jan. 5 to 7, is aimed at healing the hurts inflicted by residential schools. The gathering will continue the reconciliation process in hopes of restoring balance in the fractured relationship between Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, the Government of Canada and other religious organizations involved in the administration of Residential Schools, according to a press release.
“With the restoration of proper balance and rebuilding of the right relationships based on mutual respect, trust and true partnership, the co-hosts believe that Aboriginal peoples will begin the reaffirmation of their cultural teachings, traditional healing, customs, customary childrearing practices and will revitalize their languages and cultural pursuits,” states Eric Large, of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, in a press release.
The gathering is co-hosted by Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc., Métis Settlements (East) General Council, and Blue Quills First Nations College.
“We are extending invitations to all segments of society to participate in the process,” said Large in an interview. He explained that the residential schools’ policies of assimilation of Indian, Métis and Inuit children tried to eradicate their cultural identities, language and customs by “killing the Indian in the child.”
One of the events that will be taking place during the two-day gathering is called statement taking. Representatives from Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada will be on hand to record the personal stories of the survivors of the residential schools, their families and descendents and people who worked at the schools.
“We encourage as many people as possible that were impacted by residential schools to come forward and share their truths … not just Aboriginal People, all Canadians,” said Nancy Pine, spokesperson for TRC, adding the purpose is “to help Canadians understand better what the schools are like, what happened inside them and how the experience affected people. For those that lived, attended, worked at the schools, this is one way to provide them with a voice.”
The public is invited to tour Blue Quills First Nations College, a former residential school at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7, 2011. A supper for invited guests and dignitaries will begin at 4 p.m. on Jan. 5 at Blue Quills. The dinner will also include an address by keynote speaker Cecile Fausak of The United Church of Canada.
On Jan. 6 and 7, there will be displays and booths set up by various organizations, groups, churches, government agencies and the Truth and Reconciliation Statement Gathering team at the St. Paul Abilities Network (SPAN) building, located at 4637 – 45 Ave. St. Paul.
There is a Memorial Feast in Honor of all deceased IRS former students scheduled for Jan. 7, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Mannawanis Native Friendship Centre, 4901-50 Street. A Memorial Round Dance will follow at 7 p.m. on the same evening at the SPAN gymnasium.