Speak Truth to Power Forum: They found us and we are coming home – The truth about residential schools

Virtual forum, the 8^th episode in our Speak Truth to Power Series: They found us & we are coming home – The truth about residential schools

The announcement last month that the remains of 215 Indigenous children had been found on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School and now with the more recent finding of 104 potential graves at the Brandon Residential School, has left the Indigenous community, the nation, and the world in grief but also with a renewed sense of urgency. Nova Scotia’s Sipekne’katik First Nation says it will immediately begin an investigation of the former Shubenacadie Indian Residential school site grounds. Hundreds of young children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend Canada’s notorious residential schools like Kamloops and assimilate into Western culture. For years, many survivors, and relatives of survivors have been talking about the horrible and dehumanizing experiences, including medical experimentations, malnourishment, harsh punishment, and brutality including deaths and unmarked graves of children who were just trying to be themselves…some ask if this is genocide? This forum allows us to listen to the voices of the Indigenous community, to understand, show compassion, and mobilize to act. Humanity should not be associated with one culture or identity.

Guest Panelists include:

• Patti Doyle-Bedwell, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University
• Natalie Gloade, Indigenous Activist
• The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick and Chancellor of St. Thomas University
• additional speakers to be confirmed

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