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*Images and excerpts of text from the book Speaking Our Truth by Monique Gray Smith.
What's happening on September 30th?
What's happening on September 30th?
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Today, we honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation became a federal statutory holiday on June 3, 2021, through Bill C-5.
What is Reconciliation?
What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is defined as:
"an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people that will require commitment from all those affected including First Nations, Inuit and Métis former Indian Residential School students, their families, communities, religious entities, former school employees, government and the people of Canada."
Reconciliation can mean different things for different people. Below are a few ways people have defined reconciliation from the book Speaking Our Truth by Monique Gray Smith.
What can We do?
What can We do?
Today, we will listen.
Today, we will listen.
We are on the traditional territories of the Indigenous Peoples of the Treaty 7 region and Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. Treaty 7 territory is the traditional and ancestral territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Kainai, Piikani and Siksika as well as the Tsuu T'ina Nation and Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
What are Residential SChools?
What are Residential SChools?
Overview
Overview
in operation in for over 160 years
mid-1600s: mission schools specifically for Indigenous children in existence since mid-1600s
1880s: amendments to the Indian Act (1876) officially creates Indian residential schools
1996: last residential school closes in Saskatchewan
extensive school systems set up by Canadian government and run by Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches
financially funded by Canadian government
estimated 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children aged 4-16 attended residential schools
main objective = assimilation into mainstream white Canadian society
"I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone... Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department.” (Duncan Campbell Scott, Deputy Minister of Indian Affairs, 1920)
Uncovering the truth
Uncovering the truth
May 2021: remains of 215 Indigenous children uncovered near Kamloops, British Columbia
June 2021: estimated 715 unmarked graves uncovered by Cowessess First Nations near former Marieval Indian Residential School AND remains of 182 bodies uncovered near former St. Eugene's Mission School
July 2021: 160 undocumented and unmarked graves uncovered near former Kuper Island Industrial School
TOTAL: 1,272
The population of Coalhurst in 2019 was 2,784 people. The number of bodies uncovered is currently 46% of Coalhurst's population.
Intergenerational Trauma
Intergenerational Trauma
We must recognize and acknowledge the painful histories of the past and the ongoing impacts it has in the present.
We must recognize and acknowledge the painful histories of the past and the ongoing impacts it has in the present.
But we must also listen to the celebrations of Indigenous Peoples all over Canada.
But we must also listen to the celebrations of Indigenous Peoples all over Canada.
Indigenous TikTOK
Indigenous TikTOK
Indigenous Chef - Bill Alexander
Indigenous Chef - Bill Alexander
Indigenous Artists - The Halluci Nation
Indigenous Artists - The Halluci Nation
Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, Tim "2oolman" Hill (Mohawk, of the Six Nations of the Grand River) and Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas (of the Cayuga First Nations) are a Canadian electronic music group. The Halluci Nation are known for electric powwow, which blends First Nations Music with electronic music.
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