Inuvik (May 19/06) - Ellen Smith has waited 28 years to reunite her fellow residential school survivors.

"I had a vision of a reunion, however I needed to make sure that other survivors wanted this as well," said Smith.

From left, Liz Hansen and Ellen Smith are two of the co-ordinators behind the upcoming reunion for residential school survivors. The reunion is happening this July in Inuvik, and the pair are expecting a group of 1,000 people to attend the week of sharing and healing. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The Beaufort Delta Residential School Society took on the task of organizing the reunion, which has been challenging, said Smith.

In 1995, the society was formed to gather those students from the Beaufort Delta who wanted to get together and share their memories of life in the schools.

"We started to talk about it then and the paperwork started to come together," said Smith.

Smith, who has attended four different schools, said the experience will be good for those who participate.

"Anyone who has attended residential schools is invited to attend," said Smith.

She said that travel will need to be arranged by the individuals.

Funding for the reunion itself has been provided by the Indian Residential School Resolution fund, as well as other private sources.

Liz Hansen is another former student and said the event will be a great way to catch up with old friends and get updates from around the nation. "It will be good to see how they are all doing and what they have been up to," said Hansen.

The reunion will take place in Inuvik from July 10-14.

"This reunion will be a part of the healing journey we are all on," said Hansen.

John Banksland is also a former student who is on the society's board of directors.

He wants the reunion to give people a chance to let their emotions out.

"People in this region have been holding back their feelings," said Banksland. "This will give them a place for them to talk with each other."

"Some of these people have not seen each other in 40 years," he said.

The reunion will also feature cultural activities, and counsellors and elders will be on hand for support.

Smith is excited about the reunion, but does not know what to expect.

"From my past experiences with workshops, I don't know what to expect," said Smith.

"It is hard to say what kind of emotions they will have."