Truth and Reconciliation Commission holds national Quebec event in Montreal

Sewing and mending at St. Phillip’s residential school in Fort George. (PHOTO FROM THE ANGLICAN ARCHIVES P75-103-57-300)

With a welcome to the traditional Mohawk Kanien’kehá:ka territory, the Truth and Reconcilation Commssion opened its Quebec national event in Montreal April 24.

“Today’s event is part of a collectively determined drive to make reconciliation a reality,” said Andrew Saranchuk, assistant deputy minister 
for resolution and individuals affairs, at the opening. “Testimony is an important element of reconciliation. Though we cannot experience what former residential school inmates went through, we must listen attentively to those former students, who thus become our instructors.”

Romeo Saganash, MP for Abitibi–James Bay–Nunavik–Eeyou, said he would appear before the commission April 26, to share his experience of the residential school era.

Saganash said he planned to talk about reconciliation and propose a plan of action.

“The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is very important,” Saganash said. “I invite people to listen to the testimonies in order to understand and share a part of our experience, but also to reflect on ways to begin the healing process and achieve reconciliation between Canada’s peoples.”

The TRC’s Quebec national event takes place in downtown Montreal at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel until April 27.

In the lead-up to this event, the commission held public hearings in six Quebec communities: two in Nunavik in March 2011 by the TRC’s Inuit sub-commission, and four others that began in January 2013.

The TRC events, intended to provide a forum for those affected by the residential school system, also serve to educate the Canadian public about Canada’s 150-year history of residential schools.

No registration is required, and the Montreal event is free. Everyone is invited to attend the event, which includes sharing circles, commissioners sharing panels, private statement gathering, films and events.

The induction of honourary witnesses takes place April 26, at 9 a.m. These are prominent public figures who “bear witness to the truths of the residential school Survivors and share what they have heard and learned with others,” according to the TRC.

For Quebec, these honorary witnesses include former governor-general Michaëlle Jean, Éloge Butera, a survivor of the genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda and human rights activist, Joé Juneau, former National Hockey League player now with the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program, former prime minister Paul Martin, and documentary filmmaker Alanis Obamsawin.

Nunavik filmmaker Jobie Weetaluktuk’s film, Kakalakkuvik: Where the Children Dwell, about the Inuit experience of residential school will be screened April 26 at 1 p.m. in the St. Francois Room.

Also on April 26, at 7 p.m. in the Grand Salon, Innu singer-songwriter Florent Vollant, Richard Seguin, Elisapie Isaac, Fort George Rockers, Willie Dunn, Biz Loco Locass, Keepers of the Eastern Door, Mohawk Singers and Dancers will perform in a free concert.

Go here for the complete schedule.