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	Survivors Take Steps Towards Healing By Leah Kellar Daily Graphic June 6, 2008 http://www.cpheraldleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1062629 Residential school survivors from local First Nations communities came out to release their pain and be empowered yesterday. Survivors were invited to tell their stories during the Residential School Survivors Empowerment Gathering, a two-day event to promote healing, health and legal understanding, which continues today at the Keeshkeemaquah Conference and Gaming Centre on Long Plain First Nation's urban reserve east of Portage la Prairie. "I am a survivor. I still speak the language frequently. When I arrived (at the residential school) I didn't know a word of English, but I'm a survivor and I want to keep our story alive," said Cecil Desjarlais, from Long Plain prior to a pipe and healing ceremony where survivors could publicly share the story of their experience of residential schools. "We want to encourage our survivors to tell the story and we want to give them strength, encouragement and healing when they do tell have to tell their stories at court hearings," said Jacqueline Daniels, a band councillor for Long Plain First Nation and an organizer of the event.
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