NATIONAL CENTRE FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION cont.
"Women Survivors are leaders. Many of us have been leaders in our communities; many are educators and academics."
– Dorene Bernard
“Truth comes before reconciliation. We're still here as Survivors. But that's declining on a daily basis. We still have a truth to tell, and the truth is not yet fully told. So when somebody talks about action and reconciliation only, it's like we're being stepped over,” says Phyllis Webstad. “So just hold your horses on reconciliation. We're going in that direction. The seed has been planted. But that seed can’t grow on demand. It needs time to get the proper sunshine, nutrients, and
water for the plant to grow. And that's like reconciliation.” Many Survivors still with us today say they use their voices to commemorate and honour those who are no longer with us and the children who never made it home. While there is a long road ahead, there is also hope. Education is a key piece in understanding how the lasting impacts of the residential school experience are intertwined with various institutions such as religion, government, and healthcare and how they
have impacted generations upon generations. Survivors recognize hope when they see their language on billboards or hear it used on television or other media. The graduating class of 2026 will be the first to have had orange shirt and residential school teachings throughout their education. These are the next generation of law and policymakers, healthcare professionals and advocates, and their attitudes and understanding will shape relationships going forward.
8 CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
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