IRF Project Collections

The call for visible and lasting symbols of reconciliation is being made in communities across Canada. While conversations about truth and reconciliation are taking place throughout the country and on national stages, the absence of visible public monuments speaks louder than words. This lack of visibility leaves little opportunity for everyday reflection and serves as a reminder of why it is important to turn conversations into action.

The experiences and stories shared by Canadian residential school survivors are what paved the way to “reconciliation” as we know it today. More than four million records, including statements, documents, oral histories and sacred items have been entrusted to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), with millions more still to come. This irreplaceable collection contains records of survivors’ most painful moments, and it gives witness to the stories of those who did not survive. And yet, this vital collection is scattered across the country.

Language is the heart of culture. It determines how we communicate with one another, share stories and build relationships. For Indigenous Peoples who did not have written words prior to colonization, language is how their culture and traditions survived from generation to generation. However, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has found that Indigenous languages are at risk of dying out, with 75% of those in Canada considered endangered.

Shared language is a key part of identity and self-belonging. For many Indigenous cultures, these ancient traditional spoken words are at risk of being lost with older generations. With many middle-aged generations culturally disconnected due to the residential school system, eyes instead are turning to the youngest in communities to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and revitalize culture and connectedness to one another and the land.

There is no single action that can erase the pain felt by residential school survivors. There is no amount of time that can heal families who had a child that never returned home. Healing is a long, multifaceted process that requires empathetic listening, relationships built on trust and respect, and collaborative efforts to create strong and resilient foundations. Many Indigenous communities have turned to their sacred traditions to facilitate the process.

The wisdom held by Elders and shared with the youngest generations is the bridge between past and present, the tether tying together ancient traditions and modern culture. This wisdom is vital to preserving generational knowledge, yet too often is lost before it can be passed down. Cowessess First Nation has lost much of its history, leaving a painful gap in the record of community traditions, culture and identity. Today, the stories and memories of seniors, or kêhtê-ayak, offer a vital link to ancestors whose teachings still guide the Nation.

In the last decade, there has been a surge in Indigenous Peoples’ desire to reconnect with traditional practices and cultural expression through hands-on activities. The Catholic Church shares this drive to revitalize a culture that has historically been oppressed under systemic institutions. Creating safe spaces to teach traditional skills and bring Indigenous Peoples of all ages together is key to achieving this shared goal.

Since colonization, Indigenous youth have had to navigate a world that challenges their sense of self, their belonging and their community. Today, the disconnect between young people and their cultural identity is growing. At the same time, Elders are struggling to share meaningful traditional knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight with the youngest generations, putting these ancient cultures at risk of fading away.