Above: an image of the closing event at the Canadian TRC’s first national gathering.
Below: a list of some of the coverage of the Canadian Truth Commission’s first national gathering in Winnipeg. (Thanks to Viola, Leonard and Harmony for some these links!)
Truth and Reconciliation Walkers Headed for Winnipeg (Wawatay News Online)
Strahl Breaks Down at Hearings Into Residential Schools (Global Winnipeg)
Ottawa Makes Own Gesture of Healing at Truth and Reconciliation Event (Edmonton Journal)
Minister Strahl Delivers A Speech on the Truth and Reconciliation National Event (IsumaTV)
Residential Schools Will Be Nixed from Indian Act (The Vancouver Province)
Residential School Stories Move From Shadows (CBC.ca)
Ottawa Intends to Amend Indian Act (Financial Post)
Commission Will Hear Residential School Truths that Will ‘Heal Us All’ (Metro)
Residential Schools: Stories to Tell and Re-tell (The Globe and Mail)
Truth and Reconciliation (video clips covering the first national gathering – The National)
Harbinger of Truth Sees Hope for Future (Edmonton Journal)
Declaration Adoption is ‘a step on the journey of reconciliation’ (Indian Country Today)
Pupils to Study Residential Schools (Winnipeg Free Press)
Some Former Residential School Students Struggle with Church Presence at Reconciliation Event (The Globe and Mail)
Governor General Michaëlle Jean attends TRC
June 20, 2010
Governor General Michaëlle Jean arrives at the forks, and greets well-wishers with Katherine Morrisseau-Sinclair and Justice Murray Sinclair.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean showed her support for the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Winnipeg on Saturday. She attended the youth sharing circle where young people affected by the Indian Residential School system and those just learning of the system were given the opportunity to tell their stories. Many of the experiences were difficult to hear, and I can only imagine how difficult they were to tell.
Governor General Michaëlle Jean addresses the audience at the youth sharing circle on Saturday June 19th, 2010.
When she addressed the audience, Jean spoke of the need for unity. “What we are doing here today is about a re-foundation of this country. And it comes from confronting history together. It’s not about victims and oppressors. It’s about what we can achieve together.”
Day Two: IRS TRC National Gathering
June 18, 2010
Gus Higheagle (Dakota) riding into Oodena Circle at the Forks in Winnipeg.
Faced with tornado warnings and heavy rain, the second day of the IRS TRC national gathering pushed forward. Unfortunately, because of the weather, a few events had to be cancelled or postponed, resulting in some confusion.
Despite these issues, the ceremony welcoming the Unity Riders into the Oodena Circle went forward. The Unity Ride began in Virden, Manitoba last Friday and ended on Thursday in Winnipeg. It was made in honour of residential school survivors and to show unity between the First Nations in the prairies.
Like many aspects of the events at the IRS TRC’s first national gathering, the ceremony welcoming the riders included its fair share of contradictions. As some of the riders were presented with blankets in commemoration of their ride, a residential school survivor in the audience shouted his displeasure at being unable to give his testimony that day. The volume of people wanting to share in combination with poor weather has made it difficult for some to give their testimonies, particularly those that had hoped to share their experiences publicly as opposed to through one of the private means (through private statement giving or in writing.) Even those offering blessings at the IRS TRC’s events, including Elder Albert Taylor who gave the blessing for the Unity Riders, mentioned their concerns regarding the promises and implications of the commission.
These tensions will undoubtedly continue through the next few days of the event, and throughout the reconciliation process in general. They are reminders that processes of reconciliation are laden with contradictions and discomfort. And I would like to think that these tensions reveal not only the difficulties of this process, but the opportunities as well.
IRS TRC Commissioner Wilton Littlechild on horseback with the Unity Riders
Some local coverage of the Unity Ride: the Brandon Sun and the Winnipeg Sun.
Images from the IRS TRC’s first national gathering
June 17, 2010
The first day of the IRS TRC’s first national gathering was long. It started at sunrise for the lighting of the sacred fire ceremony and ended just before midnight with amazing musical performances from Buffy St. Marie and Blue Rodeo, among others.
The first day’s events were a reminder of how much there is to work through, about the challenges facing the process of reconciliation, as well as the hope that comes with embarking on this path. I am continually humbled by the strength of the survivors and others who have told their stories (and by those who have not), and their families. I hope to write more about the event, but for now, here are a few of images from the first day of the national gathering in Winnipeg.
After the lighting of the sacred fire. It will continue to burn throughout the event.
Four directions drum calling including the four nations: red, yellow, black, white. The above drummers are originally from Mozambique and Sudan.
Chief Robert Joseph giving an inspirational speech during the welcome ceremony.
A few of the estimated 20,000 people who attending the free evening concert. Amazing.
An image of Blue Rodeo, Buffy Sainte-Marie and surprise guest, Elijah Harper, holding his feather. A great moment.
The evening before
June 15, 2010
A few images of Winnipeg, taken tonight, the evening before the IRS TRC’s first national gathering:
- At the forks, where many of the TRC events will take place.
Canadian flags against an early evening sky in Winnipeg.
On the way to the folks, the site of the new human rights museum.
Peaceful at the forks, before the national event tomorrow.
