YORKTON — Regaining cultural roots is an important step for First Nations people many still affected by the trauma of Indian Residential Schools.
But how to do that is the question a panel at the recent Indian Residential School Gathering in Yorkton discussed.
Barry Kennedy from Carry the Kettle said the effects of IRS is still there and the first step in his mind is healing for both individuals and communities saying there remains a need to “go back and fix it.”
Kennedy said it’s frustrating that while there have been apologies they have not gone so far as to send abusers into the courts.
“At the end of the day Canada still failed us. They never charged any of the people. . . Why aren’t they in court? Why aren’t they in jail?” he said. “. . . They all got away with it.”
James Whitehawk from Cote First Nation said the healing process can be a difficult process – often being hard to talk about and sometimes not completely understood internally.
Whitehawk said he does understand that the IRS experience affected those who were forced to attend.
But sharing experiences is important.
“Each of you have a different voice,” said Whitehawk.
It is also a case where each person must take the healing journey on their own.
“You need to fix your own world,” offered Whitehawk.
It is happening offered panellist Nina Wilson.
“We are recovering … recovering every day,” she said. “. . . You’ve got to believe in more than the past – especially the traumatic past.”
Wilson said looking to the future starts with today’s children.
“If we can raise trauma-free children; that’s a goal for me,” she said.
Wilson said it really is about creating an environment where today’s children can “rock their world.”
Part of that though can be reestablishing connections to First Nation’s culture – those things the IRS tried to erase, said Wilson who added it is healing to get back to First Nation ceremonies.
“Go to a ceremony. Find your own identity,” she said.
