Every Child Matters: Reconciliation – Act Two
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – September 29, 2020.
Below are my notes on this Act Two on Reconciliation. It is quite powerful and very important.
Foods disappearing and lands were stolen meant the people were starving. They were forced to attend the schools and by then generations had attended. We are still here. These are our stories and we share them with you, and the path that lay ahead.
These are our stories
Can we Talk?
Words become agreements, alliances and talking define our obligation. Because words matter. Words become ideas and ideals. Because talking tells us who we might become.
Can we Talk? So, Can we Talk? We are all in this together.
Senator Murray Sinclair – doing away with languages and harmful abuse to the kids from 5-18 years old. You have one simple challenge. We want you to treat every child and person in your school like they are your friend. Being friends and treating others well and respectfully. Every Child Matters.
“Where the Spirit Live” – first movie about residential schools. They all knew how bad it was and they didn’t stop it.
Reconciliation is a journey and not a destination.
Best hope for reconciliation are in your hands and in the hands of children yet to come. The students selected the animals, and carving the totem. Something that led to the project was for orange shirt day. They go to their daughter’s class to talk about residential schools. The inspiration that comes from talking about students and the future of the children. It fills with hope.
Wear an orange shirt, make art, be a witness and share the stories
Thank you for your help and support – we wear orange to remember the children. Pert of changing the future. Wearing an orange shirt means you’re making an effort and sparking a conversation.
Autumn Pelletier – Water Warrior for the people and protection of the water. Water keeper. Pray for the water and the water is sick and contaminated. Hope that one day the water’s clean. Inspired her to do her work doing today. I will protect the water. Award me by helping find solutions and helping me make change. No community should not have to live without clean drinking water.
What can you do?
This is an invitation to everyone across the country to take steps for Reconciliation. Mamawi together – answering the calls. What can you do? Start with one thing and challenge yourself and others around you. It doesn’t matter where it begins we can always learn more.
Step into and commit to the Calls to Action. Take the Challenge!
“I Am Me” short film about Jazmine Smith – two spirited – transgender indigenous woman. Being transgender is beautiful and I am not a stereotype. I am a Cree First Nations woman. Found a sense of self. I want to encourage people to never give up, find your passion and love yourself.
Every Child Matters – very powerful words and for a long time it wasn’t the case in this country. Indigenous and Metis children were treated differently.
There were hundreds of day schools, savages and bastard children. There remains a long road for the Metis, First Nations and Inuit children. Lots of exploration of what it means to be Metis.
Rose Darling – Metis and Pride – Wookey Films – 5-year-old child.
Hi I’m Rose and I’m Metis. And she tells us what it means to be Metis. 18:20 – this is adorable and something that you should see it for yourself. Metis means “mixed”. Seven generations leading to “me”. She talks about the rollercoaster ride. Proud generation and Louis Reil and the Metis were defeated. Then the Defeated generation and were quiet about it. Then there was the Shamed generation. Mean things were said. Then came the Hidden Generation got good at hiding. They didn’t even tell there babies who they were and then those babies were the Lost Generation and thankfully Rose’s mom’s generation were Found Generation “thanks mom”. I love to play in the snow, do the jig. What’s the lesson here? Knowing who we are makes us happy people and when we are nice to each other. – SOOO CUTE! Worth a watch.
Spirit Bear – going back to court. The government doesn’t want to pay the money. It’s your job to stand up and help them have a proper childhood. Cindy Blackstock from the Caring Society. Addresses the unequal funding for families. Read Spirit Bear’s plan. @spiritbear.
We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice – A movie by Alanis Obomsawin
Award making film director who has made so many films of worth. Including ones about Jordan’s Principle. 52 years making films. Another world and nothing was easy and fight a lot and the documentaries. To witness the hate in the province and 270 years of resistance. You have to know why you are making the film and to ask them to respect our people. “Our People will be Healed” and imagine that and how clever and beautiful the people are. What a gift she says.
It’s more than hope and much more profound. All around the country and people are changing and are kind. There are young people are doing things.
Justin Trudeau – knowledge keepers remind us about how Indigenous people are have been here for generations. It’s Canadian history and everyone should know what took place. Racist ideas and systemic racism and discrimination challenge us today. It us up to us to show Every Child Matters.
Notorious Cree – traditional hoop dance – made a choice at 16 years old and really wanted to explore the artists life and make him feel empowered. Dancing to channel the energy to become a dancer. Good things just started happening to him. Great mentors.
You are the future. Be the best versions of yourself.
“Traditional Healing”
Raymond Caplin – film about traditional healing. In the same way as Chanie Wenjack flim (my observations). The images are about the land being polluted. Then the character starts dancing and the land starts to blossom and heal. Colour starts to appear. There appears to be growth with flowers, trees and grass dancing. The character looks around and then walks off screen.
Next is the Chanie Wenjack and an exerpt from “The Secret Path”. Very powerful.
Representation matters – and Tonto was a lousy role model and Indians created by white people. This is the stereotypes of Indigenous people. Lots of kids think the Tomahawk chop is something that indigenous people do. Nope. The journalist who wants to tell the stories. Told many stories about the abuse, and how hockey saved lives. Survival due to hockey. News media is full of stereotypes about Indigenous people. Call to Action 86 – fair and respectful way of telling stories. You have a responsibility to tell the stories well. Learn more about the past and present and take care with your stories.
The United Nations Declaration – survival and the wellbeing for Indigenous Peoples. A solution to reconciliation. The violation of treaties took the Indigenous peoples to the UN. Recognition, respect and Justice and after 27 years of debate it was published.
Kiawentiio – 14 year old singer and songwriter, actor from Akwesasne, Ontario – Great singing and powerful song. Surrounded by family and community and a Mohauk Community School. And did it all in the language and a full immersion school.
Filming “Beans” and a story following a 12 year old girl going through the Oka Crisis. Emotional journey. This song is going through difficult times and is inspiring and empowering.
The ending is thanking the creator for bringing everyone together for Orange Shirt Day. Joyful that the month is over, and because of being torn away from their families. September 30 means that it is gone and we can all move on.
Hug your family and tell them you love them. Because you have no idea going through a childhood not being told you are loved.