National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 7 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 By Jennifer McFee T he path towards reconcilia on and reflec on needs to include economics in the equa on. Dennis Meeches, president of the Tribal Council Investment Group of Manitoba (TCIG), highlights the importance of economic reconcilia on. Originally from Long Plain First Na on, Treaty 1 territory, Meeches served in public office for 26 years — six years as a Long Plain council member followed by 20 years as chief. A er he re red in April 2022, he accepted an offer to remain as president of TCIG, which launched in 1990 by Manitoba's seven tribal councils. Owned and operated en rely by First Na ons, TCIG includes affiliated companies in various industries, such as health care. "It's quite a journey for this company to move into health care and we s ll have a lot of work to do. Economic reconcilia on is on the table, and it has been for a number of years," Meeches says. "We hope this can be a new era for how we ingrain ourselves in the health industry, not so much as pa ents but also involved in the economic side of owning pharmacies and providing medical distribu on of health-care products." In addi on to his work with TCIG, Meeches focused on reconcilia on through his service to Long Plain. In 1981, the First Na on acquired 45 acres of Crown land adjacent to Portage la Prairie, which includes the site of a former residen al school, as part of an outstanding treaty land se lement. A knowledge keeper recommended the crea on of a residen al school museum to preserve history, encourage educa on and improve awareness. The area was declared a provincial heritage site in 2005 and a na onal historic site in 2020. Today, Meeches serves as chair of the Na onal Indigenous Residen al School Museum. "Every Indigenous person has a connec on to residen al schools, including me, having personal stories of my mom, my dad and other rela ves that a ended these schools," Meeches says. "For me, this is always a difficult me of year. At the same me, Orange Shirt Day has brought a lot of a en on to reconcilia on." The Na onal Indigenous Residen al School Museum hosts a gathering each year on Sept. 30. This year, the event will focus on healing through dance. It's open for anyone to a end at Keeshkeemaquah in Portage la Prairie. "It's a very important day of reflec on and reconcilia on. For Indigenous people, it's a sacred day to remember thousands of children that a ended these schools. It's a long journey to healing. That journey could take genera ons," he says. "We s ll have a lot of work to do for reconcilia on because of the history of this country and how Indigenous people have been le on the fringes of society. I'm really hopeful that things will change for the be er for all of us." With a sense of op mism for the future, Meeches says he's witnessed opportuni es for posi ve change. "There's a promise of tomorrow for our children to live in a country that's come to understand the injus ces and is truly and sincerely working towards reconcilia on in all forms. Poverty is s ll deep-rooted in Indigenous communi es and also in ci es such as Winnipeg. There's s ll a challenge of providing good clean drinking water for Indigenous communi es, as well as jobs, educa on and training," he says. "As a member of Long Plain and Treaty 1, I do see a lot of posi ve work that's being done for economic reconcilia on. I think we're going to see a lot of great things here in southern Manitoba with the development of urban reserves." The posi ve impact of First Na ons' economic development brings benefits to the en re region, he adds. "For us, it's really about crea ng genera onal wealth through our economy and making life be er for young Indigenous people, who are the fastest growing segment of the popula on here in Manitoba, if not the country," Meeches says. "It changes the narra ve about how people were faced with insurmountable challenges, such as federal and provincial legisla on and policies that were set out to take away from the social fabric of Indigenous people and communi es. There's a lot of work to do, but I think when we come together on important days such as Sept. 30, it shines the light on reconcilia on." Reflections on reconciliation Dennis Meeches, president of the Tribal Council Investment Group of Manitoba. PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY Every Indigenous person has a connec on to residen al schools, including me, having personal stories of my mom, my dad and other rela ves that a ended these schools." Dennis Meeches, — president of the Tribal Council Investment Group of Manitoba

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