Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 07/99) - After a meeting in Yellowknife, survivors of abuse at an NWT residential school are now committed to helping others who've experienced trauma associated with sexual and physical abuse.

The Grollier Hall Healing Circle has previously been instrumental in helping victims through court processes resulting in the convictions of four former boys' supervisors who worked at the now demolished Inuvik residential school.

Now, former students have selected a board of directors from among themselves to help others with healing.

"That victims are part of this process constitutes healing," said the board's vice-chair, Wayne Reindeer, who attended Inuvik's former residential school, Grollier Hall.

"They are also reaching out to help others."

One of the primary goals for the executive is to advocate for victim/witness support services so those who attended residential schools are emotionally prepared to give testimony in court.

The group also plans to help develop training workshops outlining the residential school experience, support healing by working with existing community groups and plan special reunions or conferences where survivors can share and document their experiences.

"One of the endeavours is to work with existing agencies and programs to assist individuals going through justice processes regarding the history of abuse," Reindeer said.

He stressed that the new executive will work at familiarizing themselves with the operations of the healing circle and lend support where needed.

To director Norman Yakeleya, who now lives in Yellowknife, the July 4 meeting brings the residential school issue to the forefront both for former students and their families.

"We're no longer keeping it a secret," Yakeleya said.

Board secretary, Irene Roth, who also lives in Yellowknife and has family who attended Grollier Hall, agrees.

"This whole thing has had a rippling effect," she said.

Aside from electing an executive, the group also thanked Lawrence Norbert for his work with the healing circle as he prepares to leave to work with the GNWT department of justice.

"The society expresses a deep gratitude and respect for his achievement and we wish him well in his future endeavours," said Yakeleya.