Those who had the opportunity to attend events during the 2010 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) gathering in Winnipeg, Canada, will tell you the same thing: It was very emotional. Certainly educational in many ways; but mostly emotional. Those present cried on many occasions, starting to embrace the pain experienced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit during one of the darkest eras in Canadian history.
Survivors and their children and grandchildren spoke publicly of the residential school system and its direct or indirect repercussions in their lives. For the first time in many years, Canadians at large were given the opportunity to take responsibility for what their ancestors had done. It was a lesson in humility and humanity. Canada is not a perfect country but its citizens listened. And now that they know the truth, Aboriginal Peoples can start grieving. They can do so because many more outside their communities and Nations are starting to understand that most of the problems affecting them are a direct result of the residential school system.
Of course, it will take a while. It is humanly impossible to ask a person to grieve his or her lost childhood – not even mentioning the loss of a brother or a sister because of that system – under a certain deadline. In order to facilitate the process, non-Aboriginals also have their parts to play. But, first, they must embrace their newly found guilt. Why new? Because for many years, they did not know what had happened; the residential school system was not taught in school. And all of a sudden – because the media did not really announce the events early enough – they were told that horrendous things had happened in this country, that some of their forefathers had abused thousands of children physically and sexually for more than 100 years.
So, now that Canadians know the truth, it is time to grieve together. For non-Aboriginals, there is a need for acceptance of those formerly hidden facts. They must embrace that somber part of history and learn from it, stripping guilt of its power. But, financial compensations are not enough. Healing happens when body, heart and mind are in agreement.
Discussions must be engaged between Non-Aboriginals and Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, and not only on one side. Members of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities need to re-connect with their own, obviously. However, others must help them too, offering compassion and providing a safe and respectful environment that will allow emotional release and finally growth. The way has been paved. Now, it is time for action!
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