International Women's Day

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 21 CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 "We have to trust our feelings. Our first feelings about any situation we face at any time, even in healthy environments," – Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer NCTR Associate Executive Director, Jolene Head encourages others to understand the importance of allowing Survivors to share their journeys in a Sharing Circle. "For myself, the Sharing Circle means a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard. There are no hierarchies in the Circle. You can share your truth and expect that all in the Circle will listen to understand." Each story, while individually shared, can inspire and teach the overall community. Chartrand notes, "I have learned a lot listening to the truths of Survivors, hearing about their experiences at residential schools and how those experiences shaped not only their lives, but the lives of their families and generations to come. Part of my role at the NCTR… is to help amplify Survivors' voices so that all Canadians can learn from them." "I have the honour of working with Residential School Survivors every day," adds Survivor Circle Member, Barb Cameron. "They have taught me that truth-telling is the foundation of reconciliation. And they remind me that there are still many Survivors who have never been able to share their truths, who still find this conversation too hard, too triggering to have." Survivor Circle Member, Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer agrees that truth-telling can be difficult. She explains, "it was hard to share. I find it hard to talk about, as I feel the effects of it for a while. It haunts me to bring it out and to hear other Survivors' experiences." While she doesn't encourage others to share "if it is too hard," she notes that stories encourage Survivors to know they "are not alone in this healing journey. We (Survivors) have to reconcile at our own pace and time. Reconciliation is a process made of many elements and avenues." Survivors oral histories that are protected at the NCTR reflect a consistent message heard from so many individuals affected by residential schools and colonialism itself. Survivors such as Elder-in-Residence, Elder Florence Paynter and Evaluardjuk-Palmer may have individual journeys, but their pain is shared. These truths help us in understanding "the personal and generational impacts of the residential school experience," notes Elder Paynter. They are "crucial to preventing history from repeating itself. Recording these stories helps individuals comprehend the reasons behind the silence of their grandparents and parents, fostering a deeper understanding of historical trauma." NCTR works diligently to ensure future generations understand how pivotal a role these shared truths play in the Reconciliation process. To embrace this goal, the Centre has built a solid educational platform. Cameron explains, that "hearing the voices of Survivors can have a tremendous impact on younger people. The educational events the NCTR organizes, including the annual Truth and Reconciliation Week in September, give younger people from grades K-12 the opportunity to learn about Indigenous history, cultures, languages and the ongoing legacy of residential schools from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders and Survivors." Barb Cameron. S U P P L I E D P H O T O

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