Educating is route to healing, understanding

Truth – telling the truth and learning the truth – is what the upcoming national event for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is about.

“Reconciliation component is the participation from the rest of the community, the non-Aboriginal community, churches, educational institutions, police service, to recognize and acknowledge what occurred and make efforts of reconciliation,” said Gilles Dorval, Aboriginal relations advisor with the City of Saskatoon.

The city is hosting the TRC’s fourth national event from June 21-24 and has contributed $100,000 to the event through the Profile Saskatoon fund. Dorval, who worked with the local committee and national TRC office, made the application for funding noting that the gathering meets all the criteria of being a national event expected to bring in a significant number of people. Based on past attendances at TRC national events, Dorval anticipates 15,000 to 20,000 people per day and a revenue of $2 million for the city.

But it’s about more than tourist dollars, said Dorval, who is Aboriginal and has been following the history of Indian residential schools, seeing personally the impact it has on family and friends. When he was approached by Eugene Arcand, who sits on the Survivor Committee that advises the TRC, Dorval thought it was a good opportunity to get involved.

“It’s about education. If people are educated, it creates more understanding and compassion,” he said.
Dorval notes that Saskatoon has a high Aboriginal population and that was one reason why the city pushed to host one of the TRC’s seven national events. The province also has the highest number of residential school survivors.

“I really see this as a good opportunity to help bridge the gap between our Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community here in Saskatoon,” he said. “I really see this as an opportunity for the city of Saskatoon to play a strong role in building this relationship, strengthening our ties with the Aboriginal community.”

A number of organizations have come together to pull off this event, including the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the Saskatoon Tribal Council, local churches and a handful of non-Aboriginal organizations, like the Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan.
Activities will take place at Prairieland Park and Diefenbaker Park with the opening ceremonies on June 21, which is National Aboriginal Day. A powwow at Wanuskewin the day before will be the unofficial start to the TRC gathering.

“We’re trying to put all complimentary events together,” said Dorval.

Along with statement gathering and Commissioners’ sharing panels, there will be a strong wellness component, he said. Not only will mental health workers be on site to provide support for many who are sharing their experiences with others for the first time, but spiritual and traditional support will also be available. As well, the police service will be providing an exercise component to promote physical and mental well-being.

Dorval said the local organizations and churches have gotten together with the Aboriginal organizations and the TRC to provide as many services, including meals and transportation, at little to no-cost for the survivors. Camping accommodations have been set up at Wanuskewin and hotels have been booked.

As important as the event is to the survivors, Dorval said it is just as important to non-Aboriginals as Indian residential schools are Canadian history. The local committee has focused on billboard signs, advertisements and talk shows on local radio and TV stations, announcements at churches and newsletters with community associations to let the public know they are welcomed to attend.

Cultural and educational components and local Aboriginal entertainment will be offered.

“Truth is one component and reconciliation will only come through education.  People need to understand so we really need to focus for our national event here in Saskatoon that we have the community educated on what is going on,” said Dorval.