TRC Workshop held in Allan, Sask.

By Anne Moldenhauer

ALLAN, Sask. — St. Aloysius Parish in Allan held a Truth and Reconciliation workshop June 6 in preparation for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) national event ocurring in Saskatoon June 21-24.

The parish workshop was hosted by the Catholic Women’s League and supported by the Knights of Columbus of St. Aloysius Parish. Facilitator Lynette Brossart presented some of the history of the Indian Residential Schools and the experiences of survivors.

In commemoration, those in attendance participated in a national Project of Heart (projectofheart.ca) endeavour. Participants decorated a number of tiles — each tile honouring the life of one child who died as a result of the residential school experience. The tiles were brightly decorated with messages such as “love and peace,” “healing to grow,” “blessing on all nations,” and “let us all be one in spirit.”

The decorated tiles were sent to Ottawa where arrangements will be made for them to be blessed through a ceremonial smudging by a First Nations elder. The finished project will eventually be presented to the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg to become a part of history.

Project of Heart was a featured activity during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s first National Event in Winnipeg. The creator and co-ordinator of the project — Governor General award-winning teacher Sylvia Smith — was born and raised in Allan and graduated from Allan School, so the workshop participants have a community connection to her.

“Passion and empathy were felt as we decorated the tiles in memory of the dear children who had lost their lives,” said one CWL participant, Bea Brossart.

“As a followup, we accomplished the important social justice piece of putting our words into action. It was important to do our part, to show that we too wished to help deal with the injustices of what happened. Moving forward, may we all live in one spirit with unity for all!”

As a form of reconciliation, all those present were invited to sign two petitions to support justice for all Aboriginal people. The petitions were: Stolen Sisters: Amnesty International and To Endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Volunteers for the Truth and Reconciliation national event came forward as a result of the workshop. Participants could take pamphlets and other information home for further use.