Over the weekend I had the amazing privilege of visiting the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery as well as being able to witness some of the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) main events. During the weeks leading up I had heard more than my fair share of TRC related chatter. In my mind it existed solely as a giant publicity stunt the Canadian government had cooked up to further their kindhearted reputation among the global community. I must admit I entered the event with skeptical mindset, however I will proudly confess I left with a satisfied mind and a giddy soul. Both the art gallery and the main event were about so much more than just truth and reconciliation.
The Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery was less of an artistic expression, and more of a peephole into the life of the aboriginal people. The pieces allowed me not only a greater literal understanding of their struggles, but also an opportunity to forge an emotional connection. Joane Cardinal Schubert’s The Lesson (1989), sparked a powerful emotional response that will forever stay with me. This setting piece had the rare power to transport me back to the actual moment. It’s black walls give a sense of entrapment and gloom. The white chalk scribbles contrast brightly against the dark wall giving the illusion that they are screaming their message right in your face. The monotone precision of objects in the room creates an uneasy sense of lack of humanity and the gray floor curter contributes to the dull atmosphere. The art pieces at the gallery revealed a sense of truth I was not expecting. It was further than a government willing to recognize their wrongdoings (which in this day and age is rare enough), it was raw unfiltered emotional truth. Some of the pieces had shades of anger, sadness, and resentment, but they all spoke to a greater power. The truth displayed in this gallery was not a testament to Canadian attempts of apology, it was a truthful conveyance of the pain the aboriginal people suffered.
The TRC main event also served it’s own share of surprises. I expected Canadian propaganda to paint a picture of a blooming, untarnished friendship with between themselves and the aboriginal people they wronged. However what I saw was very different. Maybe it was because the event was hosted by a private group, but the lack of Canadian bias made the experience refreshing and interesting. The event allowed for not only the aboriginal people to tell their stories, but also people from other nationalities who experienced similar hardships. The event beautifully balanced the mourning of past tragedies and the celebration of reconciliation. Guest speaker Bernice King beautifully summed up TRC when she preached “Hate will destroy the hater more than the hated” and “Freedom is never really won, you earn and fight for it every generation”.
These two simple quotes capture the very soul of what the TRC aimed to achieve. The event was partly to recognize the past, but also to spark hope and awareness for the future. Although we cannot change what happened, we can accept our sins and those who have sinned against us, and use the experience to learn and better the community. Each generation faces its own battle of social issues, though we can look to the past to help guide us in our struggles.