By Bryan Eneas

Gathering aims to educate youth about residential schools, culture

Aug 15, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Youth, Elders and all ages in between are gathering at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymnasium to learn more about themselves.

The Call to Action 66 gathering focuses on the intergenerational traumas of the residential school era in Canada, while educating youth about their culture.

“I know the history of residential school was very quiet a long time ago because I didn’t even know,” Anita Parenteau, one of three Prince Albert Grand Council staff responsible for organizing the event said. “I know a lot of our youth don’t know that.”

She said if youth understand where the intergenerational traumas originate, they can move on in their own healing processes while helping their families do the same.

Various speakers are attending the event from residential school survivors to educators and positive role models, the gathering is an event of healing and an attempt to move on to better places in life.

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Each evening, participants at the free event are fed traditional fare like smoked fish or caribou meat. Parenteau said she hoped to land moose meat for a feast planned tomorrow evening.

Part of the reason she wanted to plan the Call to Action 66 event was to help others in their healing journey. She noted part of healing was being able to let go of the past and move on with life.

“It’s all about healing and wellness; it’s important to do that. You talk about healing, but you get past it,” she said. “It’s time to live life; when you’re done healing, it’s time to live life… and nobody tells us that.”

Parenteau said it’s OK to talk about everything that happened to survivors, but at some point everyone needs to move on and have a little bit of fun in life.

“It’ll be there, it’ll always be there, but if you think you need to move on, you can, you’re allowed to move on now, and I think a lot of people need to talk about that,” Parenteau said. “Move on, don’t stay there, it takes all your energy when you don’t move on.”

Youths also have a chance to speak with Elders in teepee teachings and learn about ceremonial practises. Parenteau noted one youth learned to pack tobacco into a ceremonial pipe.

Parenteau said she wasn’t sure whether or not the Call to Action 66 gathering would become an annual event, however she said she’d gathered a lot of positive feedback so far, and was considering the possibility of hosting another gathering next year.

Among other activities planned at the Senator Allen Bird Memorial Gymnasium are live entertainment and karaoke. Vendors have also set up booths featuring information about different topics like beading. The gathering is free and runs until Thurdsay, when it is concluded with a free feast at 6 p.m.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @BryanEneas