CORRECTION: It was formerly stated that Lana Hebert, who gave a presentation at the opening ceremony, was also a residential school survivor. She was not a part of the residential school system, but shared the story of how she was affected growing up as an Indigenous person.
The three-day Truth and Reconciliation event hosted by the Western Development Museum (WDM) began with an opening ceremony on the morning of Sept. 29.
This marked the opening of the second annual Every Child Matters traditional powwow and gathering, organized by the Wakamow Aboriginal Community Association (WACA) in partnership with the WDM.
The event focused on the truth of Canada’s residential school system, and honoured the Indigenous community whose experience is met with enduring emotion.
Hayley Hart-Rushinko, communications and economic development officer with the City of Moose Jaw, was the MC for the ceremony. Hart-Rushinko is Métis on her grandmother’s side and Nakota/Lakota on her grandfather’s side of her family.
After an address by Hart-Rushinko, members of the Iron Whistle drum group performed an honour song.
Brad Bellegarde was the first speaker, and he introduced himself as a “first generation non-residential school survivor.” Although Bellegarde never attended school in the residential school system, his own experience was not an easy one.
“We’re all affected, whether we realize it or not,” he said.
To demonstrate his point, everyone in attendance was asked to raise their hand if they went to a residential school and a few did so. Next, he asked who in the audience has heard about Orange Shirt Day. Everyone raised their hand to the second question. “Keep your hands raised. If your hand is raised, you are also affected,” he said.
His presentation was given through an expert blend of poetry, rap, and storytelling. His inspiring delivery showcased his passion and communicated some of the emotion behind his message. “You have to feel (it) before you can move forward,” he explained.
Following Bellegarde’s presentation, Britnee Prettyshield performed ‘Rise Up’ by Andra Day, and ‘Girl on Fire’ by Alicia Keys. Prettyshield said ‘Girl on Fire’ was significant to her, and the song made her believe in herself. Her message was one of self-confidence and self-belief. “You are that girl — or boy — on fire,” she said in her closing remarks.
After Prettyshield’s dance, Lana Hebert gave a heartfelt presentation and shared her story growing up as an Indigenous person.
“My skin tone was darker than others,” she said. “As a kid, we didn’t understand why we were different… we didn’t belong in town, and we didn’t belong on the reserve (either).”
She said her family’s heightened sense of isolation was due to her father’s voluntary military service, which – unbeknownst to him when he signed up – would strip him of his Indian (Act) status. When service members returned after World War II, Indigenous veterans were stripped of their status, but also denied housing outside of reserves.
When the first residential school child’s grave was discovered in 2021, Hebert was deeply moved. “Imagine, (being) three, five, or six years old and stolen from the arms of your parents, never to return. I thought of my own daughters, and it crushed my soul.”
Her message was inspired by love, and in her closing remark she invited everyone to embrace an attitude of healing and reconciliation. “Let’s heal together. May the Creator bless us,” she concluded.
The Truth and Reconciliation event will continue through to Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, and concludes with a 3:00 p.m. family barbecue, courtesy of the Moose Jaw Co-op.
For a full schedule of this weekend’s Truth and Reconciliation programming at the WDM, visit wdm.ca/moose-jaw or call the museum’s programs coordinator Alexis Jones at 306-693-5989.
The Western Development Museum is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.
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