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KDFN and partners to host Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The national Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be in Whitehorse later this month to gather statements from people impacted by Indian residential schools. As part of the Commission’s northern tour, the TRC’s three commissioners will be stopping in Whitehorse on May 26-27. The local event is being hosted by Kwanlin Dün First Nation in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.

The Commission was established as part of the Settlement Agreement on Indian Residential Schools, Canada’s largest class action suit. The Commission is tasked with telling Canadians what happened in the Indian Residential Schools; honouring the lives of former students and their families; and creating a permanent record of the Indian Residential School legacy.

“This event is an opportunity for survivors to share their stories and get them documented so that current and future generations can continue to learn about what happened and how it affected our families and communities,” said Jessie Dawson, a council member of KDFN. “Telling our stories is an important step in the healing process. It also brings awareness to the general population about what First Nations people e experienced in residential schools across the country.”

All statements will be recorded for inclusion in a national database but people will be able to choose whether to make their statements publicly or privately. Private statements will be taken at the nearby KDFN Health Centre and no personal information will ever be attached to the statements. Public statements will be made at KDFN’s Nàkwät’àKų̀ Potlatch House and organizers will be inviting government, church officials, media and other members of the public to come and listen to people’s stories.

“The ‘truth’ part of the event will happen when people share their experiences. The ‘reconciliation’ part will be supported when others witness and honour these experiences,” noted Ta’an Kwäch’än Council’s Deputy Chief, Rick Martin. “It helps us move forward when people from outside our First Nations understand the scope of what happened to generations of our people. After all, we are all neighbours, co-workers, fellow community members.”

As discussions about residential school can create diverse emotional responses from people, including the people who do not make statements, the First Nations and Health Canada are working together to ensure there will be access to counselling before, during and after the event. There will also be a sacred fire tended around the clock during the event and a community feast with entertainment on the first night.

“Providing extended support is a critical part of organizing this event,” stated Ruth Massie, Grand Chief of the Council of Yukon First Nations. “We want to make sure there is an available network of counsellors and that people know they can ask for help at any time. We want to make sure there is a strong focus on healing.”

Organizers anticipate that two days will not be enough time for the Commission to gather everyone’s statement. However, this is expected to be the first opportunity of many for survivors living in the Yukon to make statements to the Commission. The Commission will be in Dawson City on May 24th and Watson Lake on May 25th and, at the end of June, there will be a national meeting in Inuvik. The Commission has also stated it will return to the Yukon in the future to provide additional opportunities for people to make statements.

The Whitehorse event will be held on May 26th and 27th starting at 9 a.m. each day.  The public part of the event and the sacred fire will be held at Nàkwät’àKų̀. There will also be a dinner on Thursday and a community feast on Friday night.  People wanting more information can contact the Kwanlin Dün Health Centre at 668-7289.

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