24 F e b ru a ry 1 6 , 2 0 1 7 | O Thursdays 1:00 - 6:30 p m P S a tu rd a ys 10:30 a m - 1:30 p m E N S und ays 10:00 a m - 12:00 p m v 0 Damage done over 150 years Aglukark and LaForme say art will help healing continued from p.20 As of 2015, the first stage of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is over. However, the journey is not over, the community heard. "There are a lot of issues w e face," said LaForme, w ho explained that he uses poetry to make a connection with people. "I could give you facts and figures," LaForme said. "Connecting on an emotional or spiritual level will last a long time." The chief touched on the current concerns about the high number of missing and murdered Aboriginal w om en in Canada by means of reciting a poem. Meanwhile, the evening began with a traditional smudging ceremony, performed by Stephan Paquette, chair of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee. Paquette explained to those attending the forum that the purpose of the ceremony is to create a cleansing smoke bath in order to remove negative energy. The ceremony was followed by a performance by Eddy Robinson, w ho is a well-known Anishinaabe artist, activist and educator. Oakville resident Don Smith, an author and professor emeritus of history from the University of Calgary, set the stage for the discussion on truth and reconciliation by providing an overview of the history of Oakville during the past 200 years. "The farmers drove the Indians off, shot the dogs and never gave us any help," said Smith, reading an historical passage. "It was a terrible time," Smith told the audience. Juno Award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Agulkark, w ho lives in Oakville, also spoke about her own journey and how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission gave First Nations people a voice and the power of choice. "This is the start of a discussion," Aglukark said, w ho noted the damage done by the Residential School System in Canada took place over 150 years. Many aboriginal members of the audience shared their stories: speaking of growing up in a broken family; fleeing hom e to avoid the Residential School System; and how First Nations children were taunted. But LaForme pointed out that they still have hope. "Reconciliation is something that w on't happen overnight," said LaForme. "It' s important w hy people like us must talk." "The power of art will be playing a large part," Aglukark added. OAKVILLE BEAVER | T h u rs d a y , Homemade Ukrainian tup te rra ce take-aw ay all prepared and easy to warm up w w w .in s id e H A L T O N .c o m | 905.337.1400 ext. 116 orders@ terracetakeaw ay.ca w w w .te rra c e ta k e a w a y .c a St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church 300 River Oaks Blvd. East (at Trafalgar) Oakville ON ToVSM BS BLAZER Over 60 Shops & Services located at the QEW & Dorval Drive Visit d o rv a lc ro s s in g .c o m for more information PROUDLY MANAGED BY Bentall Kennedy