Survivors of Residential Schools to Hold Commemoration Event

By Michael Gorman
The Chronicle-Herald
September 10, 2012

thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/134376-survivors-of-residential-schools-to-hold-commemoration-event

More than 100 residential school survivors will gather in Dartmouth next week for the Atlantic Regional Indian Residential Schools commemoration event.

Themed From Victim to Survivor, the three-day event at the Dartmouth Holiday Inn from Wednesday to Friday will bring together survivors, their families, members of First Nations communities and non-aboriginal people to learn about the history of the schools and Mi'kmaq culture, and focus on healing and ways to move forward.

"What we're not trying to do is paint a picture of victims," said Violet Paul, a member of the event's organizing committee.

"We're asking the non-native people to come in to listen to us, to join us and be with us and work with us as we move forward together."

Planned events include open-forum discussions, sharing circles, sessions focused on traditional Mi'kmaq culture and recognition of survivors. Speakers include Chief Shawn Atleo of Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, a former national chief and residential school survivor, and Justice Murray Sinclair, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Supporting commemoration events like the one planned for Dartmouth is part of the commission's five-year mandate.

"We're trying to bring in people who have already empowered themselves," said Paul.

"I think it's very significant in terms of bringing the non-native people to an understanding not just of the residential schools, but basically recognition of our culture and what has happened to our people."

While part of this entails examining the legacy of residential schools, Paul said a big emphasis will also be on moving forward. That is one reason why the entire event is open to anyone who wishes to attend.

"It's to eliminate those barriers between cultures."

Nova Scotia's only residential school, located in Shubenacadie, operated from 1922 until 1968.

Contact: mgorman@herald.ca