International Women's Day

Celebrating International Women's Day FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024 • SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS Shasta Chartrand, NCTR Director of Communications and Digital Strategy, also sees solid reasons to remain positive. She says, "while progress can be slow, every effort no matter how big or small helps. Last summer, I saw a family of four out for a bike ride, parents and their two children all wearing orange shirts. We had an amazing turnout on Parliament Hill for the national broadcast Remembering the Children…. These instances filled me with hope — hope that people are listening and want to be allies." Collecting and recording Survivors' oral histories is at the heart of NCTR. Accomplishing this feat requires sensitivity, patience and understanding — traits members of this primarily women-lead team exude. 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." Chartrand powerfully describes why children should know this history. "It's unimaginable for many to be able to even understand what Indigenous people went through when their children were taken from them, and for those parents whose children never returned home. It's up to us as individuals and educators to help with those educational efforts to foster understanding and awareness." In addition to understanding and overcoming the trauma is the overreaching goal of reconnecting with what was lost over the years. Head sees reconnection reflected in her own family. "I have two nephews who are now young men and I'd like them to take away the feeling of pride. I say this because despite what has happened to Indigenous Peoples in Canada, we are still here, and we are reconnecting with our culture, language and ceremony. I want them to continue the work the Survivors have begun." Reflecting upon International Women's Day, Maata offers advice for all women: "We have to trust our feelings. Our first feelings about any situation we face at any time, even in healthy environments," she explained. Cameron adds, "International Women's Day, to me, is about striving for safety, health and strength of our future generation of women and girls. It is a time to recognize the women who paved the way for us to be where we are now, and we repay this debt of gratitude by supporting future women leaders through mentorship and compassion." In line with International Women's Day's 2024 theme, Inspire Inclusion, Elder Paynter provides these hopeful words: "I encourage women worldwide to recognize the inherent power they hold as matriarchs…. On this day, assume your rightful place in society and celebrate your strengths." Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer. S U P P L I E D P H OTO Barb Cameron. S U P P L I E D P H OTO "We have to trust our feelings. Our first feelings about any situation we face at any time, even in healthy environments," – Maata Evaluardjuk-Palmer "I was having lunch with Erica," she says of co- owner Erica Henderson, a registered medical radiation technologist who was working in research with Melina. "We were using a DEX A scanner for a study at the University of Manitoba, and she said, 'wouldn't it be great to use all this great info to help people live healthier lives? '" At that point, a figurative light bulb went off over the heads of the two health-conscious women. "We started planning the very next day," says Elliott. "We felt that we'd really hit on something that could make a difference in people's lives." This July, Body Measure will be celebrating five years in business. Turns out, the concept for Body Measure was conceived during a rather casual lunch hour conversation, says co-owner Melina Elliott. A MEASURE OF SUCCESS BY TODD LEWYS Melina Elliott (left) and Erica Henderson owners of Body Measure. SUPPLIED PHOTO

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