The first national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada will take place at the Forks in Winnipeg, Man., June 16 to 19, 2010. The commission’s focus is to bring healing and reconciliation after the legacy of Indian Residential Schools.
“This event is a first for former Indian Residential School students, and a first for Canada,” said Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC, in a statement. “My fellow commissioners and I have made a commitment to former students that we will hear from as many of them as we are logistically and humanly able to.”
The Winnipeg TRC event, one of seven national events that will take place over the next four years, is intended to create an opportunity for gathering, remembering, learning, truth-telling and ceremony. It is directed to former students, their families and communities, and to all Canadians seeking to move forward from the residential schools legacy.
The event will include tents highlighting different aspects of the residential schools experience. There will be photos, art displays, movies, dance, and music. Former students will have opportunity to make statements. In the evenings there will be cultural celebrations.
Anglicans are involved at many levels. The Diocese of Rupert’s Land is helping coordinate the event and preparing to welcome visitors from near and far—including visitors from neighbouring dioceses seeking to learn about this part of Canadian history. Greyhound Bus has offered to transport former students who have registered for the event, and the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United churches are working with the TRC to arrange local accommodation and transportation for former students and their families.
At the event, the office of General Synod will present archival information about former schools. Liturgical resources will be available online for use by churches across Canada in the weeks leading up to the event.
The Primate, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, and the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Right Rev. Mark MacDonald, will attend the event.
All Anglicans are encouraged to pray for, attend, and follow these TRC events. The Ven. Jim Boyles, General Synod’s consultant on residential schools, has started to prepare a series of TRC updates, now available on www.anglican.ca.
The Anglican Church of Canada operated five Indian Residential Schools in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario at various times. These schools were partially funded by the Government of Canada. They were: Elkhorn Indian Residential School (Elkhorn, Man., 1888-1949); Mackay Indian Residential School (The Pas, Man., 1915-1933); Mackay Indian Residential School (Dauphin, Man., 1957-1969); Pelican Lake Indian Residential School (Sioux Lookout, Ont., 1926-1969); and Shingwauk Indian Residential School (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., 1873-1969).
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For more information, contact
Henriette Thompson
Director of Partnerships, the Anglican Church of Canada
(416) 924-9199 ext. 213
hthompson@national.anglican.ca
“This event is a first for former Indian Residential School students, and a first for Canada,” said Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC, in a statement. “My fellow commissioners and I have made a commitment to former students that we will hear from as many of them as we are logistically and humanly able to.”
The Winnipeg TRC event, one of seven national events that will take place over the next four years, is intended to create an opportunity for gathering, remembering, learning, truth-telling and ceremony. It is directed to former students, their families and communities, and to all Canadians seeking to move forward from the residential schools legacy.
The event will include tents highlighting different aspects of the residential schools experience. There will be photos, art displays, movies, dance, and music. Former students will have opportunity to make statements. In the evenings there will be cultural celebrations.
Anglicans are involved at many levels. The Diocese of Rupert’s Land is helping coordinate the event and preparing to welcome visitors from near and far—including visitors from neighbouring dioceses seeking to learn about this part of Canadian history. Greyhound Bus has offered to transport former students who have registered for the event, and the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United churches are working with the TRC to arrange local accommodation and transportation for former students and their families.
At the event, the office of General Synod will present archival information about former schools. Liturgical resources will be available online for use by churches across Canada in the weeks leading up to the event.
The Primate, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, and the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, the Right Rev. Mark MacDonald, will attend the event.
All Anglicans are encouraged to pray for, attend, and follow these TRC events. The Ven. Jim Boyles, General Synod’s consultant on residential schools, has started to prepare a series of TRC updates, now available on www.anglican.ca.
The Anglican Church of Canada operated five Indian Residential Schools in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario at various times. These schools were partially funded by the Government of Canada. They were: Elkhorn Indian Residential School (Elkhorn, Man., 1888-1949); Mackay Indian Residential School (The Pas, Man., 1915-1933); Mackay Indian Residential School (Dauphin, Man., 1957-1969); Pelican Lake Indian Residential School (Sioux Lookout, Ont., 1926-1969); and Shingwauk Indian Residential School (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., 1873-1969).
###
For more information, contact
Henriette Thompson
Director of Partnerships, the Anglican Church of Canada
(416) 924-9199 ext. 213
hthompson@national.anglican.ca