"WALKING TOGETHER": A DAY OF EDUCATION FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
ON APRIL 14, THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND
RECONCILIATION (NCTR) HOSTED “WALKING TOGETHER”: A DAY OF EDUCATION FOR RECONCILIATION for 1447
students (Grades 5 - 12) and 103 teachers from approximately 50 schools across Saskatchewan. Dean Jennifer Tupper
says, “The numbers far exceeded our expectations and are indicative of our larger commitment to Indigenization and
the history and legacy of residential schools in our province." Participants learned about the history of residential
schools, their impact, and about how to move forward, “Walking Together,” the theme chosen for the event.
Committee members brought together a meaningful schedule of activities in which students and teachers
participated. The day began in a good way with a smudging ceremony for committee members and
volunteers led by Life Speaker Noel Starblanket.
The opening included greetings from Dean Jennifer Tupper, Life Speaker Noel Starblanket,
Indigenization Lead Shauneen Pete, Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and
Reconciliation Charlene Bearhead, and President Vianne Timmons who engaged the students
with calls for a responsive “I will” regarding their commitment to participation. Eugene
Arcand, a residential school survivor who served on the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission Survivor Committee, asked survivors to stand and come forward so they
could be recognized and honoured. Indigenous drumming and singing reminded
participants to remember those who have gone before them. Elder Alma Poitras
explains that "drums are more than the heartbeat of mother earth. They
are our ancestors reminding of where we come from. Each tribe has their
own identity, but for me when I hear the drums I am reminded by our
ancestors and by Nature to respect what has been provided."
An interesting and inspirational day of workshops and
presentations included education student- and faculty-
led blanket exercises, in English and French. The Blanket
Exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches
the history of colonialism experienced by Indigenous
peoples, physically and visually demonstrating the
losses endured by Indigenous peoples: land,
language, and loved ones due to epidemics
and illness, and children lost to residential
schools; all of which highlight the effects
of broken treaty promises. Other
workshops for the day included: "Truth
and Reconciliation Through Music" with
Brad Bellegarde, "Playback Theatre" with
Dustin Brass, Ben Ironside, and Erin Goodpipe;
"Le Fil de Reconciliation" with Anne Brochu
Lambert, the Prairie South School Division brought
their student presentation "Voices of Youth" with
Vivian Gauvin; "Métis Experience" with Russell Fayant
and Brenna Pacholko; a "Conversation for Reconciliation"
with Lee Prosper; "Inuit Reflection and Vision" with Elder Millie
Anderson; "Project of Heart" with Sylvia Smith; "If These Hills
Could Talk" with Daya Madhur and Noel Starblanket, and "This is
Not Sacred" with Eagleclaw Thom (in which students created hide
paintings using silk-screen materials and modern digital technology.)
The day closed with presentations from the NCTR Imagine Canada winner,
Christopher Sanford Beck, and representatives from All Nations Healing and
the RIIS Media Project. Dr. James Daschuk challenged the group to action: In
accordance with Call to Action #75, which calls upon the federal government to work
with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, organizations, and landowners to
develop and implement strategies for ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance,
commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites where residential
school children were buried. Participants were challenged to send a postcard to the House of
Commons and the Office of the Prime Minister to ensure the Regina Indian Industrial School
(RIIS) cemetery is given heritage status, and the site commemorated and memorialized. Resulting
from these actions, alongside the important work of organizations such as the RIIS Commemorative
Association Inc. and the Luther College's recent Project of Heart, on September 26, the Regina City Council
approved heritage status for the RIIS cemetery.
More photos at http://www2.uregina.ca/education/news/day-of-education-for-reconciliation/
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