"Six Nations members recognized for their work with residential school survivors"

By Stephanie Dearing, OHSWEKEN

As the two-day Truth and Reconciliation event hosted by Six Nations this past weekend wound to a close, Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Chief Wilton Little child said the event, called Strengthening Survivors Connections, was positive.

A keynote speaker at the event, Little child was asked Sunday by Tekawennake how he coped with hearing the horrible stories he must have heard over the past few years. Little child said he himself had been a residential school student for 14 years. "Many times what I am hearing is my own story."

Little child said it was "quite amazing" how many people experienced a similar experience as he had.

"I simply cannot believe the depth of abuse across the country. But at the same time, I see the changes happening in front of me... the resilience of the people."

There was anger, said Littlechild. But, "I see really good things happening in communities... It's really good, it's energizing to see the good that can come out of the harm.

"The challenge is how to engage the rest of Canada in this story, because this isn't an Aboriginal story. It is a Canadian story," said Littlechild.

But the palpable emotions that accompanied the closing ceremonies on Saturday as four Six Nations members were recognized for their work around the former Mohawk Institute demonstrated how raw the wound really is.

Diane "Punky" Hill openly wept when she was presented with a plaque for her work with students at Oliver M. Smith Elementary, and Laurel Curley was barely able to hold back her tears as she was honored for the counselling work she has done with survivors.

Geronimo Henry was inscrutable, but when he spoke about the residential school class action lawsuit that was originally filed by Six Nations survivors of the Mohawk Institute, there was a bitterness that tinged his words.

Jan Kahehti:io Longboat was obviously touched by being recognized for her healing work with residential school survivors. Blanche Hill-Easton presented Kahehti:io (which means, she has a beautiful garden) with a plaque on behalf of the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association.

A healing circle song and a traditional closing brought the two days of recollection and connection to an end.

Six Nations has survivor's group that meets on a regular basis called "We are still here."