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Residential school commemoration project underway

The St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration Project announced a series of events and initiatives in the coming weeks

At a news conference on April 24, the planning committee for the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration Project announced a series of events and initiatives in the coming weeks to commemorate and create awareness and recognition of the residential school experience in the Cariboo.

The project aims to encourage, support and engage in a shared First Nations and non-First Nations dialogue on how to achieve reconciliation in the Cariboo region, and to support efforts by all those affected by the legacy of this residential school as they continue on their personal healing journey.

To achieve these objectives, the project aims to:

Be inclusive: Events are being planned through a multi-party planning committee whose membership includes: First Nations and Tribal councils; local government leaders; former residential school students; School District 27; First Nations schools, civic organizations/Rotary Clubs, and the RCMP. (They are also reaching out to the faith-based community.

Be collaborative: Working with all the above partners and others as they are identified to ensure the project events respond to the interests of all participants. The conference events will be done in collaboration with the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We worked with the current landowner and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate to place a monument at the site of the former residential school.

Be supportive: Paying special attention to how we engage, communicate and work with the former students involved in the SJM Reunion Facebook group. Working with Health Canada (B.C. Region), the Interior Health Authority and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society of BC to ensure appropriate mental health counselling and other supports are available.

Be Respectful: Structuring events to: commemorate the residential school experience and those who did not survive it; assist those affected by the legacy to engage in their personal healing journey; and to engage First Nations and non-First Nations in a dialogue about reconciliation in the Cariboo region.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada commends everyone involved in the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration Project. You’ve put together a program that’s comprehensive, meaningful and accessible. I look forward to being a part of it,” said Justice Murray Sinclair, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada chair.

First Nations people who attended this school, like myself, have worked hard since the day it closed in 1981 to seek justice for the wrongs we suffered and to create a new legacy for our children and grandchildren. Doing this project is a good way for us to figure out how we can do this together,” said Chief Fred Robbins of the Esketemc First Nation.

I’d like to acknowledge Chief Robbins for his vision and leadership to create this one-of-a-kind project to create an opportunity for healing, reconciliation, and moving forward. This project is a great example of how First Nations and non-First Nations peoples can work together towards healing, understanding, and common goals,” said Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook.

The Cariboo Regional District is proud to have played a role in bringing all communities throughout our region together for this momentous event. By gaining a better understanding of each other’s cultures, heritage and the challenges we face, through this reconciliation process, we will be able to move forward together in collaboration to create a better Cariboo-Chilcotin for all of its residents,” said Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond.

 

The public is welcome at all of the events below:

May 13-19: Private Truth and Reconciliation Commission individual statement gathering – Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Williams Lake campus.

May 16: Monument unveiling ceremony – former St. Joseph’s Mission Site (11 a.m.-noon).

May 16-17: Commemoration conference and town hall on Reconciliation with Truth and Reconciliation Commission – Gymnasium at TRU, Williams Lake campus (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).

May 17: Monument unveiling ceremony – Boitanio Park (11 a.m.-noon).

May 18: Truth and Reconciliation public testimony gathering – Gymnasium at TRU, Williams Lake campus (8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.).

May 18-19: Former Residential School student reunion – Williams Lake First Nation Pow Wow Arbor (rain location – Sugarcane Gymnasium) (all day Saturday, local bands Saturday evening, Sunday morning to mid-afternoon)

For more information, visit the commemoration project online at www.SJMcommemorationevents.com. For referrals to key individuals, call 1-250-243-2261 (Cariboo) or 1-604-787-8638 (Vancouver) or e-mail: htarbell@uniserve.com<mailto:htarbell@uniserve.com.