Can you imagine sending your child off to school to get an education, only to maybe never see them again? What was promised as an educational opportunity, turned into a living hell for thousands of Indigenous children and families, as in reality, residential schools were a way for the government to 'Get the Indian out of the child.'
“We know that residential schools were a terrible thing to do,” said Patsy Day, an elder of Oneida First Nation. “We are still finding bodies. With ground penetrating technology, its showing there are thousands, over 5,000 at last count. Those are children's bodies that have been found in the ground from residential schools.”
The fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation took place Monday, and in Stratford the Falstaff Family Centre commemorated the day with various events. The day kicked off bright and early with a sunrise ceremony, followed by Indigenous teaching and sacred fire, and the presentation of a film called WaaPake which means 'tomorrow.'
“I think many of us have realized there are gaps in our education," said Loreena McKennitt, the centre's owner and director. “We realize that we were not taught a big piece of our history in schools. We hope to bring awareness and education on reconciliation.”
Schools and private groups along with the public were able to come and learn about the residential school system and the atrocities committed against the Indigenous people in Canada, Starting in 1867, 140 residential schools were run, with the last closing less than thirty years ago in 1996.
Day, who prefers to go by Katsi Tsyawa Na which means flower and is a name given to her by her grandmother, showcased the sacred fire which is symbolic, and her family was heavily impacted by the trauma’s of the residential school system and the proceeding influence on Canadian culture.
“My mothers own generation, including my Auntie Donna, fought a 14-year legal battle with the federal government,” said Day. “This battle was to dispel the law part of the Indian Act that said when native women married a non-native man that they lost their status which meant the women could no longer receive benefits including healthcare and education, which had been promised by the British before Canada became a country.”
In Indigenous communities a sacred fire is especially important at the time of death.
“In our community when there’s a death, especially when that person is very young or passed too soon there is such grief that we come together as a community for a ceremony,” said Day. “We have a sacred fire, and our four sacred medicines to acknowledge those children, to acknowledge youth, the nation builders, and the elders.”
Another aspect of the ceremony at the Family Centre was two exhibits from the Indigenous-led Legacy of Hope Foundation. The exhibits included: A National Crime: Canada's Indian Residential School System and Remembering, Honouring and the Way Forward: 10 Years After the Residential School Apology.
“I believe four years into National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we now have much more awareness on a national level,” said Day. “I believe that the respect and feelings of love, is I guess you can say growing among people in this country and hopefully we can continue to do better.”
The Falstaff Family Centre is still giving everyone an opportunity to take in National Day of Truth and Reconciliation events, as the exhibitions will be on all day, Aspens Ojibwe Spirit Horses will be in attendance starting at 4 p.m., a solidarity walk is taking place at 6 p.m. and the film will be screened again at 7 p.m.
Being a part of today is my duty,” said Day. “Because my family fought for 14 years, my children and I were able to regain status, get a university education and move into careers.”
