Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Vancouver!
This is a special post for people who live int he Vancouver area….
Have you heard about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)? It begins this Wednesday. This is a historic event that our family has been looking forward to for months. I am frustrated that there seems to be little about this in the media so I thought I would put out my own little press release :)
The TRC is an opportunity for non-aboriginal Canadians to hear the experiences of Residential School Survivors. Being willing to listen is an important step for healing for our First Nations sisters and brothers. Most of the events are taking place on the PNE grounds. This is a turning point in our history as a nation. The Rt. Hon. Michaelle Jean (former Governor General of Canada and Honorary Witness for the TRC) says this…
“I call on all Canadians – elders and youth. Aboriginal or not – to commit to reconciliation and breaking down the wall of indifference. This is not just a dream it is a collective responsibility.”
We are actually taking Isaac out of school on Thursday so he can go. (Thursday is a special day for students.) We are glad for the opportunity for both ourselves and our children to hear actual survivors of the Residential Schools tell their stories.
As well as lots of Listening Circles etc. There are also displays, entertainment etc. Here is a link where you can see all the events. I would really encourage you to take some time to look at the events and see what you might be able to take in.
http://www.trc.ca/websites/vancouver/File/TRC-073.06%20BCNE%20program-web.pdf
Bruce is volunteering for much of the event. I will go as much as I can so if you are going, give us a call and we can see if we can meet up. Bruce’s cell is 604-992-9183.
For sure, we are going to the walk for reconciliation on Sunday. It starts at 9:00 am. We are planning to get there for 9:30 am when Martin Luther King’s daughter is giving a speech before the walk begins. Do you want to join us for the walk? Here is a link for info for the walk.
http://reconciliationcanada.ca/participate/walk-for-reconciliation/This will be an event to remember.
Karen.
