Closing Ceremonies Begin for Truth and Reconciliation Commission

CBC News
May 31, 2015

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/closing-ceremonies-begin-for-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-1.3093688

Survivors of residential schools gathered at Laurentian University's campus in Sudbury on Friday for the closing ceremonies of Canada's Truth and Reconcilation Commission. (Elyse Allard)

Survivors of residential schools gathered in Sudbury on Friday to mark the beginning of the closing ceremonies for Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

It was tasked with informing Canadians about the abuses that happened in the residential school system.

Ella Visitor-Young was sent to a residential school when she was five-years-old. (Elyse Allard)

Ella Visitor-Young attended Friday's event at Laurentian University. She was sent to a residential school when she was five-years-old.

"We were ruled by our supervisors and everybody took control of us. It was hard to open up. That was the hardest part."

- Ella Visitor-Young, residential school survivor

"I found it very difficult," said Visitor-Young. "I had a hard time coping with things."

Visitor-Young said she had a difficult time with language and staff who she said tried to control her.

"We couldn't do anything," said Visitor-Young. "We were ruled by our supervisors and everybody took control of us. It was hard to open up. That was the hardest part."

Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission will release the summary of its final report based on survivor testimony next week.