First Nations, Métis and Inuit Committee (FNMIC) and Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee (WoCMMC) recently asked folks to apply to join them at the People Bridge Advocacy's TRC Calls to Action - Walking Together: A Sharing Circle Gathering for Truth and Reconciliation.
When members attend events, we ask that they send in reports so members can read up on what the events are all about and learn from the reports. Have a read:
Shawky:
It was a great pleasure to attend this gathering to show support to indigenous people and learn more about their history and suffering. I volunteered to help with guiding the attendants to their tables and also in serving the food and deliver it to people who can’t wait in line. The sessions started at 9 am but I was there at 8am to help as a member of the WoCMMC.
I was happy that before the sessions, we acknowledged the land and the indigenous peoples that resided here, especially since there were many newcomers at the event who hardly knew anything about indigenous people other than the bad ideas they got from settlers and the advice they got to avoid indigenous people. I was happy that many of them have changed their thoughts and became more supportive. Some newcomers have even shared the struggle of their people in their original countries, that seemed similar to what Indigenous people here went through. Having residential school survivors such as Elder Wallace Awasis, Marina Gardypie and Elder Rick Daniels tell us their struggle and suffering in those schools and how they were forced to leave their homes, cultures and believes under a "noble purpose to make them civilized people" was heartbreaking. The plan's execution was far from noble. It was savage, creole, racist, torturing and humiliating.
On the other hand, I had the opportunity to listen to Mr. Jason Ceamakese's story and how his family hid him and his cousin from going to those schools. I also enjoyed his playing on the Native American flute. I wish him good health and success in all his endeavors such as teaching the Cree language and playing the flute. One of the things that pleased me was the support of community service activists such as Dr. Pankaj Bhowmik, immigrants and refugees assisting volunteers such as April Sora and social workers such as Dr. Judy White. Each one showed support and assistance to indigenous people to obtain the respect, appreciation and acknowledgement they deserve. I can’t forget the People Bridge Advocacy organizers of this event, Mr. Senor Timon and Mr.Ahmad Majid who facilitated the happening of this event. As a natural remedy supporter, I was enthusiastic to learn about the herbs the Indigenous peoples use for different kinds of diseases and conditions. I even bought some of them.
Last but not least, this is the first time I heard about land sharing, presented by Ms. Amy Seesequasis. She told us the story behind the Treaty Land Sharing Network. This came from the dream of a group of indigenous women of having safe land for them and their families to gather, enjoy nature and practice their ceremonies. They are also welcoming to everyone, not only indigenous people, to share and enjoy the land with them. I am happy to know that and am planning to practice this experience in the future.
So, in general, I was so happy to attend this event and every time there is an event related to Indigenous people, I will attend to learn more, support and help if there is a chance.
Yolanda:
-Ahmad Majid: Welcome and acknowledgment - He's an Iraqi Canadian community leader, poet, and spoken-word artist who dedicated over a decade to the settlement sector, with his warm smile everyone felt welcome.
-Elder Wallace Awasis: Prayer: four direction prayer, and smudging - he is from Thunderchild, First Nation, in Saskatchewan. He is well known for promoting social action, based on the principles of peaceful co-existence, a principle that he was taught by his elders and leaders. He is an Indian Residential School survivor. He enjoys sharing indigenous knowledge on a path towards a brighter future for our next generation.
-Senos Timon: Opening remarks: The People Bridge Advocacy - city counsellor for Ward 2 in Saskatoon, he emigrated from South Sudan in 2000. He's the founder and executive Director of the People Bridge Advocacy. His opening remarks were incredible and everyone felt welcome.
-Marina Gardypie: Speaker: Knowledge sharing about the history of Indian Residential Schools(IRS) in Canada, the impacts of trauma and the healing journey - she is a member of the Saskatchewan Residential School Survivors Circle, Reconciliation Saskatoon, and various newcomers groups. She attended St. Michael's Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan, for four years from 1957 to 1961, so she is well-versed in the effects of residential schools' historical trauma and healing. Her story made our eyes so watery that most of us had tears falling down our cheeks, and you could feel the sadness, anger, and most of all you could feel sorry for those that had to go through attending residential schools.
-Elder Rick Daniels: Speaker: Linking the past to the current day (Indian Residential School system and poverty, treaties and current day implications) - he is from Mistawasis Negiyawak First Nation and is a residential school survivor. He attended St Michael's Residential School for 10 years, from kindergarten to Grade five (5). He is a great leader and educator. He dedicated himself for 22 years as an Education Counsellor in the Basic Education Program at SIAST in 1992 (now Saskpolytechnic).
We also had a debrief-discussion at tables:
- What impacted you the most as you listened to the Residential School survivors share? How did their stories make you feel?
- What new information did you learn? Did anything surprise or challenge you?
- Why do you think it is important that we learn about the history and impact of Residential Schools?
- How might this learning change the way you understand and/or live in your community?
-Jason Chamakese: Music and Language Speaker: It was an amazing flute performance and quite beautiful, I could listen to it all day.
-Dr. Pancakes Bhowmik, Board Chairperson: PBA Remarks - He is a Senior Research Officer and the Scientific Support Lead for the Sustainable Protein Production. He had also promoted and supported lifelong learning opportunities for adults in the community by volunteering as a board member of the Lethbridge Lifelong Learning Association.
-NeepSee (Nicole Standinghorn): Medicine Presentation - Founded in 2017, NeepSee was built on the belief that everyone deserves access to medicines that are natural, safe, and effective. She told us stories about the IRS. It was full of pain that made everyone have tears in their eyes.
-April Yuri Sora and Dr. Judy White: Also shared their concerns of how to welcome newcomers, focusing on connections to everyone without exception, being friendly.
We had another debrief discussion at each table:
- What happens when we better understand each other's cultures and worldviews?
- Why is it important to reconciliation that indigenous ways of knowing and cultural practices are understood and respected?
- What aspects of relationships - building towards reconciliation. Did you learn about today?
- What gives you hope about truth and reconciliation in Canada?
- What is one action he will take to promote reconciliation in your community?
These events decrease racism, promote understanding and a curiosity of indigenous cultures, garner empathy and hopefully learn from mistakes in the past for a better future.
-Amy Seesequasis: Speaker - She feels it is important to promote the treaty relationship and provide an understanding of treaties, indigenous peoples, and reconciliation which will encourage inclusivity and respect to all. She is a member of Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory and has Métis lineage to the community of Batoche.
This is a free event so I highly recommend everyone attend and learn about truth and reconciliation, the history, and how important it is to get educated so we can share it with anyone that doesn’t understand the meaning of TRC.
Thanks, SEIU-West for sponsoring us to be a part of this event.
Arlene:
PBA Truth and Reconciliation event impacts me every year. It's a truly an awakening time for me to hear how the women and children were being treated during those times of their suffering. Imagine putting yourself into their shoes, as a mother and seeing your children experience trauma from those events? I always support this TRC day as it is us, I always love to volunteer with these events.
At the end of the conference, we all joined hands in a round dance. This was the first time I experienced the dance with all the wonderful attendees. I had goosebumps, the connections felt different as we danced. May God bless us all and may we continue to enjoy the Truth and all the Reconciliation, not only Canadians, but all over the world.