National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation opens in Winnipeg - Action News
Home WebMail Monday, November 11, 2024, 12:12 AM | Calgary | -0.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Manitoba

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation opens in Winnipeg

The lighting of a sacred fire and a procession of dignitaries, including some residential school survivors, helped launch the grand opening of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

NCTR is the permanent home for all statements, documents and other materials gathered by the TRC

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation opens in Winnipeg

9 years ago
Duration 1:38
The lighting of a sacred fire and a procession of dignitaries, including some residential school survivors, will help launch the grand opening on Tuesday of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg
Thelighting of a sacred fire anda procession of dignitaries, includingsome residential school survivors, helped launch the grand opening of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg on Tuesday.
Residential School survivor Lorna Standingready (L) is comforted during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada closing ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in June. (Blair Gable/Reuters)

The centre, located in Chancellor's Hall at the University of Manitoba, is thepermanent archive for all curated materials related to Canada's Residential School system, includinghundreds of photos,thousands of hours of video, millions of government documents and church records, and 7,000survivor statements gathered during theTruth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).

It will alsosupportongoing research into all of the information obtained by the TRC andwill be home to the BentwoodBox, containing everything from abroken brick from a demolished residential school to ahockey jersey, star blankets, a Saskatoon police hatand aminiature birch bark canoe as an expression of reconciliation.

Director Ry Moran saidthe centre will ensure the experiences of residential school children are fully understood.

"It's one of the most important things that's happening in this country right now as a matter of fact how we come to terms with this history that we've had in this country, how we do this and how we turn the corner as a country," he said. "It's so critically important."

The grand opening ceremonies will take place over two days, and afull schedule of eventsis available online.

Tuesday recognizedsurvivors andhonoured the process of reconciliation, including thelong history of events that took place in order for theNCTRto become a reality and discussions aboutwhat the future of reconciliation will look like.

Residential school survivor Eugene Arcand spent 11 years at a residential school in Duck Lake, Sask.

He said he's struggled with a legacy of abuse his entire life.

"You are stripped of all your dignity as a child your language, your culture," he said. "Every day is a threat."

His story is now among fivemillion digital documents, documenting the legacy of residential schools.

"We can share it with all Canadians and provide a level of public education and understanding. There are reasons for the social ills that affect my community," he said.

On Wednesday, the archives will be made available online, and grand-opening ceremonies will focus on education.

As well, more than1,700 students and 350 teachers from across Manitoba will gather at the RBC Convention Centre to take part in workshops.

Phil Fontaine addresses own children during event

Former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine spoke at Tuesday's events, at one point apologizing to his children for the way he dealt with the pain that came from being a residential school survivor.

Phil Fontaine addresses own children during opening of National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

9 years ago
Duration 1:03
Former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine spoke at Tuesday's events, at one point apologizing to his children for the way he dealt with the pain that came from being a residential school survivor.

"Friends, you just never know. You wouldn't know, but you can just imagine. Among other things in my life, I was a terrible drunk the worst imaginable drunk that ever walked the earth," he said. "That I would [pain] my family the way that I did and unfairly and unnecessarily may I ask further forgiveness for that, for me."

His children, who were in the audience, stood up and hugged him to applause from the audience.