Rez school survivors share experiences at healing conference

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Ending the self-perpetuating cycle of violence and social problems which plague many First Nation communities was the purpose of Manitoba's first Provincial Residential School Conference.

Attracting more than 200 participants from as many as 60 communities, the conference theme, "Adult Children of Residential Schools: Releasing the Silent Cry," soon became a reality as individuals shared painful personal experiences growing up in the often abusive residential school system.

According to Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the effects of residential schools are still being felt today, and continue to be passed down through generations of First Nations People.

"The violence has to stop - it has to stop now," he said. "The drinking and the family violence being witnessed by the people of Canada, and being experienced by the First Nations, is symptomatic of what actually started in the residential school system."

Hosted by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and

the Manitoba Tribal Councils, the conference and workshops were designed to facilitate the beginning of a healing process.

With a support system comprised of both traditional and contemporary First Nation caregivers, the participants broke off into several small groups where they could share their stories in a safe environment.

During a five-day period, from October 20th to the 24th, participants engaged in shared discussions and attempted to formulate recommendations on healing individuals and communities. Participants also attended workshops on traditional and contemporary healing methods.

According to coordinators Gloria Cameron and Duane Pelly, the gathering was a tremendous success in terms of the number of participants who attended and the work accomplished. Although many of the participants came together as strangers, Cameron said their collective experience and willingness to share soon led to strong bonds of friendship.

"As the days went by, you could begin to feel the closeness of the people," she said. "People would walk by and they would touch you, they'd hug you and stop to ask you how you were doing. It was really wonderful."

One of the 118 recommendations on healing made by participants was to have another conference like this past one, inviting both former students of residential schools and their children, said Pelly.

"I think that recommendation was very important to the groups here - that their children know about what happened to them when they were at these schools," he said.

According to Cameron, the conference was a long time in coming.

"Some people cried for happiness, some people cried for other people's pain, some people cried just to be here," she said.