HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES
A Tribute to Resilience
There is a historical reckoning happening in Canada, reflecting on how Indigenous Peoples have been treated and unmasking the truth of the residential school system.
These efforts have primarily been driven by survivors sharing deeply personal stories of trauma and resilience, leading to frank discussion and educating individuals about the truth of Canada’s history.
Today, these stories focus less on the horrors of the past and more on highlighting strength, culture, and survival, providing hope for future generations.
By sharing their experiences, survivors can better understand their responsibility in addressing intergenerational harm. This requires great mental fortitude of which the Regina Survivors Circle (RSC) are demonstrating through their new initiative, the Resiliency of Regina Indian Residential School Survivors Book and Video Project. The project documents unfiltered stories through a lens of hope, focusing on members who have gone on to live full and successful lives despite the traumas of their youth. Stories will cover emotional healing from residential schools, mental growth through education and careers, to navigating physical health and life challenges. Spiritual journeys that include traditional ceremonies and teachings or faith will also be featured. Stories will be videotaped, transcribed and accompanied by photographs to create a published book.
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is contributing funding to support the RSC in emphasizing the strength of their Indigenous identities and transforming trauma narratives from victimhood to survival. The IRF is proud to support this mission informing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples about the lasting impacts of the residential school system while charting a path forward based in empathy, hope and healing.
Diocese of Regina
