SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Northern branch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is gearing down its work and preparing to close its Yellowknife office doors at the end of the month.
Dawn Ayalik and Brian Ayalik, 4, enjoy some eats at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) open house on Friday. The TRC office in Yellowknife is set to close its doors at the end of the month. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo |
The journey doesn't stop there, however, according to Jennifer Hunt-Poitras, co-director of the TRC's Inuit sub-commission.
"We have to keep talking," said Hunt-Poitras. "There is a long way to go still for people to really acknowledge the extent and the impact of residential schools and how it's still affecting people today."
The TRC's Inuit sub-commission was created to connect with Inuit survivors of the residential school system and ensure they had a chance to share their experiences during the TRC process, which came out of a class-action lawsuit against the federal government and several national churches.
Since its inception the sub-commission has toured 18 communities across the Northwest Territories, Nunavik, Nunavut and the Yukon. In 2011, the TRC held the Northern National Event in Inuvik, bringing together about 1,000 participants and collecting more than 125 statements at the private statement gathering.
Although it's been difficult, Hunt-Poitras, who comes from a family of residential school survivors, said she is happy to have been involved in the process.
"There were times where I was in terrible despair and depressed and overwhelmed by the enormity of what's actually happened and the depth of the wounds people are carrying. But more than anything I've been inspired by the strength that people have and the courage and the fact that people still have their culture and people are still passing on their language," she said. "Now that people are starting to listen there's hope."
An open house was held Friday to celebrate Northerners' contribution to the TRC's work. During the event speeches were heard from residential school survivors, church ministers and dignitaries, among others.
Roy Erasmus Sr., acting chief of Ndilo, stated great strides have been taken in the North to educate the public about what really happened in residential schools but more needs to be done in the south. The residential school curriculum should be introduced in schools across the country, he added.
"There are still so many people that don't understand what happened," Erasmus said. "If we can reach the young people when they're in school and they learn about this, that will help them understand ... and if they understand what happened they can pass that on to their kids."
In the North even more could be done, he said. Erasmus said he would like to see an event held in Fort Providence or somewhere else in the area to allow residents who couldn't make it to the national gathering in Inuvik a chance to have their say.
The GNWT, he said, also needs to do more to help with the healing process.
"The GNWT has to not just acknowledge that but help with that healing. Put some money into it. Hire at least one person. There's not one person in the whole of the Government of the Northwest Territories that's hired specifically to work on residential schools," he said. "That's unbelievable."
Meanwhile, the TRC will continue until its five-year mandate ends in 2014. Survivors who still wish to make a statement should contact the Winnipeg office.
