Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we pause to honour Survivors, remember the children who never returned home and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples.
Last week, our colleagues gathered to listen, learn and take part in meaningful dialogue about the enduring impacts of residential schools and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
The gathering began with a meal that included bannock, giving us time to connect. Then the room grew quiet as participants made space for difficult truths—stories that brought thought, reflection, and for many, tears.
The opening and closing prayers were offered by Elder Mary Lee, grounding the day in respect and remembrance. Guest speaker Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth shared her personal experiences and memories of attending residential school, offering a powerful and deeply moving perspective.
Recalling her first journey by plane to residential school, Rosalie said: “I see Wollaston getting smaller and smaller and going—Oh, something was wrong here—I remember I started crying. I was just six years old. I didn't know what was happening…The pilot who flew the plane was kind, he saw how upset I was, he gave me Smarties which helped me to stop crying...this was many years ago...we had to wear uniforms, we were not allowed to speak Dene and it was tough,”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) documented over 4,000 child deaths during the time children attended the schools, though records remain incomplete. Estimates by researchers suggest the actual total of deaths may be significantly higher.
In 1920, attendance was made compulsory by the federal government for Treaty-status children aged 7 to 15. Families faced unaffordable fines or imprisonment if they refused to surrender their children to the state.
150,000+ is the official historical estimate of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children who were forcibly taken from their families and communities to attend Canadian Indian residential schools between 1831 and 1996.
The gathering was organized by our colleague Elvira Hennie, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. She reflected on what it meant to help host the event:
“As an Indigenous person who helped host this day for the company, it was such an honour, and it made me feel very happy to be part of an initiative that brought truth and reconciliation in a learning capacity to people, opening that dialogue and watching people listen to Rosalie really affected me and helped heal my heart, even just a little bit.
Personally, listening to Rosalie speak about her first time leaving her family, it made me cry because the thought of my own five-year-old being taken away from me and how distraught I would feel as a parent and how absolutely shattered my daughter would feel without me there with her every day.
And that’s why it’s so important to listen and acknowledge reconciliation it was not long ago when this happened and it’s very important for us to understand those realities.”
As a professional educator, Rosalie used her experience to help colleagues embrace the pathway to meaningful reconciliation.
On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, gatherings and conversations such as these remind us of the importance of listening with openness, reflecting on our shared history and advancing reconciliation through understanding and respect.
Thank you to Elder Mary and Rosalie for the stories you shared, memories and time that you spent with us.
At a recent event that we hosted in Wollaston Lake, CKOM’s Brittany Caffet spoke with Rosalie who shared some of her story.
