‘It’s a great day’: Witchekan First Nation recognizes Orange Shirt Day

The walk proceeded from Memorial Park and up Main Street. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Lauren Joseph-Knutisvik is a grade 7/8 teacher at the school and when asked how teachers go about teaching the young children about residential schools, she replied they tell them to be grateful for what they have.

“We’ve come a long way to have our own schools, our own teachers, and we maintained our culture,” she said.

Personally, she noted her own appreciation for the Pope’s visit to Canada and to the various levels of government who have acknowledged the atrocities that occurred at residential schools.

“The many children that died in those residential schools, that needs to be recognized,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Chief Raymon Harris also participated in Friday’s walk and explained the residential schools have created a harsh reality for his people and generational trauma.

“It’s now gonna take us generations to recover,” he said.

The walkers were provided with a police escort as they made their way through the community. Local residents and business owners came out and watch the group pass by.

Laverne Laliberte is an Elder and a mental health therapist for Witchekan Lake. She expressed her appreciation both for the RCMP’s and the community’s support. She also noted her own mother, a residential school survivor, passed away last December at the age of 91.

“And she didn’t have a voice, she still was afraid to speak up. I had to be her voice and that gets me angry that she didn’t feel like she could voice her own opinion, even at 91 years of age,” she said.

A trio of dancers provided some entertainment after the walk. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Moved by the excitement of the young children celebrating their culture, Laliberte can’t help wonder why her culture was singled out.

“There was never anything wrong with us, or our ways or how we lived. Other groups get to celebrate that and it’s okay so why wasn’t it okay for our people,” she said. “So today is a great day.”

Corporal Cory Johnstone is a popular member of the community and brough his own children to attend. Noting how both himself and a number of family members attended residential schools, he said it was great to see all the children wearing their orange shirts.

“It’s beautiful, I mean how can you describe the energy that you hear and see and feel here now. It’s just amazing,” he said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Other events happening:

On Friday, a similar walk was held at Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

On Sunday, as part of the annual Unity Walk, community members from Mistawasis First Nation will begin the long trek to Prince Albert. In addition to honouring residential school survivors, the walk also raises awareness for missing and murdered men, women and children; the James Smith tragedy; and mothers and fathers against drugs and suicide prevention.

And then on Monday a full day of events are planned at Chief Joseph Custer Reserve in Prince Albert including a “Wiping of Tears” ceremony for survivors.

Staff and students at Sturgeon Lake Central School. (Facebook)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

‘It’s a great day’: Witchekan First Nation recognizes Orange Shirt Day

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