Advancing Reconciliation is the third in a series of three workshops hosted by Returning To Spirit, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization located in Treaty 1 territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Sandy Bay First Nation, located near Amaranth, Manitoba, is taking steps to help youth in the community cope with intergenerational trauma and loss of cultural identity. Recognizing the devastating struggles with substance abuse among its young people, the Council of Elders has been looking at ways to revitalize traditional spiritual beliefs and values in alignment with Christian teachings.
Following the isolation and loss experienced during and for many, since, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Stó:lō Nation is organizing a gathering to support healing, celebrate resilience, and foster connections for its communities.
The Future Generations Foundation, formerly known as the NIB Trust Fund, is responsible for managing compensation allocated for Residential School Survivors under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The programming supported by the funds focuses on generational healing, connections with Elders, revitalization of culture, language, and community and better education, employment, income, and standard of living outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
The Mohawk Village Memorial Fund, created by a group of survivors from the Mohawk Residential School in Brantford, Ontario, is dedicated to reclaiming their childhoods and fostering new memories for the families and descendants of survivors. The group is constructing a playground and park designed to bring together past students, their families, and the wider community.
In Thunder Bay, Ontario, the St. Kateri Student Bursary program has been supporting Indigenous students pursuing higher education. Funded by the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF), the bursary looks to empower Northern Indigenous youth by alleviating financial barriers to education and promoting cultural pride. The response from students, teachers, and guidance counselors has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the importance of accessible education in Indigenous communities.
Deacon Michael Robinson is Anishinaabe and Catholic and serves as the Spiritual Director for Kitchitwa Kateri Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He provides spiritual direction and counselling services for community members with a focus on Indigenous spirituality, reconciliation and healing and discovery of identity.
Indigenous Residential School Survivors across Canada continue to grapple with the impacts of trauma, in addition to facing barriers to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. In Regina, Saskatchewan, the Regina Survivors Circle (RSC) provides a safe and supportive space for Survivors to share their stories, find connections, and reclaim their cultural heritage.
Moosonee, a community in the James Bay area of Ontario, is set to host an important reconciliation gathering, driven by the idea of a community Elder. The event, inspired by the desire to bridge divides between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, marks an important moment in the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
The wounds inflicted on Indigenous communities by the residential school system run deep, with one of the most devastating impacts being the suppression of Indigenous languages. The loss of language has left a void in the cultural identity of Indigenous communities across Canada.
