'It is our time to tell our truths': National organization for Indian day school survivors launched

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

A national organization to support wellness and healing initiatives for thousands of survivors of federally-run Indian day schools marked its official launchtwo years after the Federal Court of Canada approved a nationwide settlement agreement.

The McLean Day School Settlement Corporationintroduced its board members via a ceremonyThursday from Eel Ground First Nation in New Brunswick.

"What's important is hope and building a legacy of healing," said Elder Claudette Commanda, amember of the board who is Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabegin Quebec.

Commanda herself is a survivor of the day school system, having been forced to attend the Congo Bridge school in Kitigan Zibi.

"We did go home to our families after school, but there was still abuses that went on," she said.

"We were not allowed to speak our language in those schools. We were not allowed to even know anything about who we are as Anishinaabe people."

Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Roger Augustine and James Igloliorte, a retired Inuk judge,are also part of the non-profit organization's board.

In 2019, Canada signed a $1.47-billion settlement with thousands of former students who suffered harm while attending federally operated Indian day schools.

Because the day schools were operated separately from residential schools, day school students were left out of the2006 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

The day school survivors settlement agreement earmarked a $200-million legacy fund,which the new organization will administerto support initiatives that foster language and culture, healing and wellness, commemoration and truth telling for day school survivors and their families.

The organization is named after the late Garry McLean, who was lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit that led to the settlement agreement.

"Dad's legacy is to leave the world in more joy than he had experienced. It is his hope, the team's vision and work to help find peace, balanceand healing," said McLean's daughterKristin McLean during the ceremony.

In a statement Wednesday, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada spokespersonCarine Midysaid in addition to individual compensation, it was important that the settlement included "forward-looking investments to support survivors, their families and communities [to] address the painful legacy of federal Indian day schools."

What are Indian day schools?

An often overlooked part of Canadian history, over 600day schools operated across Canada in every province and territory except Newfoundland and Labrador between 1863 and 2000.

While separate from the residential school system, day schools were also part of a federalpolicy aimed at assimilating First Nations and Inuit children, and often had religious affiliations to the Roman Catholic, United, Anglican and other churches.

The new support organization will begin to engagethis fall with survivors, familiesand communities on how the legacy fund should be structured, implementedand distributed. Outreach will take place via regional virtual sessions between lateSeptemberand November.An online surveyis also available.

Mariette Buckshot, also from Kitigan Zibi, Que., and a plaintiffin the lawsuit, said she feels comforted by the fact that day school survivors are a part of the board, whichwill be gathering input across the country from other survivors and their families.

"It is our time to tell our truths, our stories and traumas. Time to teach the truths of how we were castas savages that needed to be tamed and colonized in ways that were inhumane," she said.

"It's time we show our resilience and strength, to stand above all the wrongs that were done to us and to show the world that we still exist and continue to be heard and seen."

For Commanda, healing is at the forefront, but she also recognizesthe need for Canadians to learn more about the history of Indian day schools and experiences of survivors.

Unlike the Indian residential school settlement agreement, the day school settlement agreement didn't include a national inquiry or commission such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

"Canadians need to be educated on federal Indian schools. They need to hear the truth," she said.

"Speaking as a survivor, healing and wellness is so important. But how do we get healing and wellness? Truth has to be told."

Supportis available for anyone affected by their experience atresidentialschools, and those who are triggered by these reports.

A national IndianResidentialSchool Crisis Line has been set up to providesupportforresidentialschool survivorsand others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.