Local community gathers in honour of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

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Treaty 8 Grande Chief Arthur Noskey spoke on behalf of residential school survivors and acknowledged National Truth and Reconciliation Day as what he calls a foundation for a brighter future but explained he is still seeking change for reconciliation to occur.

“How can you influence an age and make a recommendation for change, of status quo.”

(EveyrthingGP / AbbyZieverink)

Elder Loretta Parenteau-English, opened the ceremony with a prayer, inviting residents to say a prayer in their language.

(EverythingGP / Abby Zieverink)

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

Tobacco prayer ties were given to children and adults of all ages, guiding each family to place into a fire after holding it and saying a prayer.

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

Traditional drummers played the honour song as residents put their prayer ties in the fire.

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

Shauna Livesey introduced Metis Elder and residential school survivor Angie Crerar, as she spoke about her memories from Canada’s residential schooling system.

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

“When your family is denounced, your culture, and sacred ceremonies, are told are primitive and safe, you begin to think less of yourself, less human, your former life no longer exists…The sense of helplessness, hope, and discretion,” she said

“During those awful years behind those closed doors… Apology, what did that mean to us survivors and their families?”

She says National Truth and Reconciliation Day is one step forward, but hopes, the reconciliation will continue to move forward.

“I speak for myself here as a lesson, memories flashed in my mind my whole being my heart felt heavy, leaving me cold and unmoved, a few words read, but no feeling, because it was expected, doing their duty,” she explained.

“It will never erase all those years of neglect, cruelty, and human treatment, words could not take away the pain that so many thousands and thousands and thousands of children have lived.”

Victoria Wanihadie spoke at the event, hoping to reconnect to her culture and speak the ancient tongue her grandparents were denied at the residential schools.

President of the circle of indigenous students at the Grande Prairie Regional College Dominic Field spoke about her hope for the future.

“By calling out injustices, by raising each other up and encouraging one another and staying true to our teachings of our ancestors by getting our education and breaking down the system of oppression.”

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

Breanna Auger performed a song she wrote in honour of all residential school survivors.

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

Ending the evening was traditional dancers, Inti Burnham and Airianna Demerais, followed by traditional drumming from Farley Cardinal, Aiden Goodswimmer, Cody Wilier, and Delvin Mooswa.

(Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP)

by Abby Zieverink

Local community gathers in honour of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

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