Popular Canadians, Susan Aglukark and Wab Kinew were anchors around which the London Area Local Truth and Reconciliation members built their March 10th and 11th conference, “It Matters to Us: Transforming the Legacy of Residential Schools” held at Western University’s Faculty of Education. This was a collaboration of Western’s Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women & Children and Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada.
On Tuesday evening, following a traditional opening ritual with well-known elders Dan and Mary Lou Smoke and songs by Western’s Sisters 
of All Nations, the evening belonged to Susan Aglukark who impressed the enthusiastic crowd with the skillful intertwining of songs and stories about her challenging and unique journey from tiny Nunavut to success as a Juno award-winning recording artist. In addressing the sufferings of Native peoples as a result of residential schools, Susan advised, “If we can forgive enough to heal enough”, we can survive the terrors of life --- and even thrive! On that note, 400 people rose to their feet and joined in a joyous traditional circle dance around the auditorium. It was a memorable evening.
Wednesday’s program featured workshops wherein five residential school survivors recounted their powerful experiences of residential school. The brave and honest sharing of their childhood days cut short by the Canadian government mandating them into regimented schools that drowned their spirits and dulled their senses, provided a serious look at the reality of life for residential school students. It left indelible scars for the rest of their lives. In all, there were over 133 residential schools in throughout Canada where children were confined (1920-1969) for over a century.
Also included during the conference, were workshops such as the “Blanket Exercise”, “Faceless Doll Project”, “Reconciliation in the Watershed” and various other informative experiences. All provided valuable information on the far reaching effects of the Canadian governments’ encroachment on the lives and the lands of Indigenous people.
Wab Kinew’s address was the highlight of the conference. A well-known Aboriginal rapper, author and now host of CBC’s “Canada Reads” program, Wab outlined the dreadful impact of residential school on his family throughout several generations. However, he pointed out that in spite of their overwhelming trials, the Aboriginal children who were ripped from their homes in the Canadian government’s attempt “to take the Indian out of the Indian”, displayed the amazing strength, wisdom and beauty of Indigenous people.
Wab commented that in spite of 100 years of enduring the horrors of residential schools and its catastrophic effects on generations of Indigenous people, presently there exists an Indigenous resurgence. Over 27
,000 Aboriginals are in post-secondary institutions and the languages of the people are experiencing a growth spurt. Increasingly, young Indigenous people are found in professional positions and in leadership roles with women leading the way. Furthermore, British Columbia boasts an Aboriginal male in provincial parliament.
From a dark period in Canadian history, a new story is emerging. This May’s official closing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Ottawa will see the tabling of the written account of all that has happened to the Aboriginal people. This story will find its home in the University of Manitoba. As one sad chapter in Canadian history wanes, a new and fresh chapter is unfolding before our eyes.
Jean Moylan CSJ