The Anishnabek Nation unveils monument

The Anishnabek Nation unveiled a monument March 25 to honour citizens who have felt the impacts of Indian Residential Schools. The monument was part of the Honouring Our Children, Families and Communities project of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “I really see this monument as a testament to the resilience of our people,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee. “We should take that collective strength that the residential school survivors have exhibited, refuse to be treated as victims, and take control of our own destiny. We should look at the monument as a symbol of strength, not of victimhood.” The Anishinabek Nation project includes a variety of educational resources that document the history of the residential schools, the children who attended them and the inter-generational trauma that resulted. Materials include a fictitious narrative picture book available in English, French, and Anishninaabemowin that tells the story of a girl who attended Indian residential school, four videos, including one in Anishinaabemowin, about the Indian Residential School system and its effects on the Anishinabek Nation, survivors and their families, and information booklets about inter-generational trauma, the history of the schools and educational resources on the Indian Residential School system. An educational Web site will be created to house all of these resources, plus information on Canada’s apology, settlement agreement, compensation, and health resources.