INUVIK - The community of Inuvik has one month left to prepare logistically and emotionally for the second national Truth and Reconciliation Commission event. It is meant to both inspire reconciliation among survivors and engage and educate all Canadians on the history of residential schools.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie School was formerly known as Grollier Hall and Stringer Hall, two residential schools. It will play a large role at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's national event in Inuvik from June 28 to July 5. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL photo

Over four days, from June 28 to July 1, at least 700 residential school survivors from across the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Nunavik in northern Quebec, religious entities, government representatives and community members are expected to gather in Inuvik. They will hear statements, appreciate artwork and participate in community events related to the legacy of residential schools.

"The whole point is for healing. The mandate states that sharing our truths will contribute and pave the way towards reconciliation," said commissioner Marie Wilson. "It's really about healing at a spiritual level."

The goal of a national event, of which the Inuvik event is the second, is to allow all entities of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement – federal government, four churches and former students – to participate in a meaningful way to achieve reconciliation and to educate Canadians about what happened at and since the schools closed down.

In addition to public and private statement sharing, the event will host cultural celebrations through artistic contributions. The stated intention of the schools was to "kill the Indian in the child" and one of the harms frequently mentioned is the loss of aboriginal language, cultural identity and indigenous pride.

This national event will provide an opportunity to showcase the culture of aboriginal people in the North.

"I wouldn't say it's a celebration. It's a positive appreciation of the resilience of the people," Wilson said. "Certain songs, books express the determination of going forward. Because of the schools, they have revived and reclaimed the arts and who they are."

People attending the event can expect a hope-filled, inspirational few days. Wilson explained that after survivors have shared their stories at the regional hearings, they have felt peaceful or relieved to stop feeling anger at what happened.

"The people who wish to speak to the commission have been carrying this load for 20, 30, 40 years and they don't want to carry it anymore," Wilson said. "There is a sense people are trying to be positive and move forward. They want to feel peaceful."

The Indian Residential School Survivor Advisory Committee chose Inuvik as the location in part because of its shared homeland of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in people. There is already an acceptance, encouragement and acknowledgement of cultures, Wilson said.

"It's complicated but it's a great model for the rest of Canada that we can share in a respectful way," Wilson said. "By its very nature it has great potential."

On the ground, organizers in Inuvik have already started planning and have an agenda set, 20 local co-ordinators hired and locations chosen. Activities will take place at Jim Koe park, SAMS School, the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, Aurora College and possibly the youth centre, ski club and greenhouse.

A cultural committee comprising the Gwich'in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corp., Yukon First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Metis and Dene will provide input on the cultural content. The logistics committee comprising of the GTC, IRC, Town of Inuvik, Metis and GNWT are working to make sure all supplies to pull off the event technically are in place.

What organizers need now are for survivors to register so they have exact numbers; 75 to 100 volunteers for each day; billets for the out-of-town travellers; and food vendors for a setup similar to the Muskrat Jamboree.

Wilson encourages all members of the community to attend so they can understand what happened at the schools and how that has affected current generations. She spoke of a person in Tulita who knew every person in the community, but never knew how the schools affected them until he heard it at the hearings.

"It's an incredible invitation to the community, to become more of a community in a very profound way. There will be an increased awareness of each other and it's beautiful," Wilson said. "We take our work as the commission as a sacred trust, to make sure we take their stories in a great way and take forward and share with others."

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