By Kendall Robertson

Truth And Reconcilation Highlighted At New Event

Oct 3, 2018 | 12:45 PM

PRINCE GEORGE- The first Walk for Truth and Reconciliation took place in the city this afternoon. About one hundred grade six and seven students from District 57 and 91 took part in the inaugural event. It gave students a chance to hear from local residential school survivors, downtown agencies, and Lheidli T’enneh representatives. The Central Interior Native Health Society (CINHS) put on the event thanks to a grant from the First Nations Health Authority.  “There are so many adults that don’t know the colonial history that people have experienced here, and more importantly, there’s a lot of talk about truth and reconciliation but those are just buzzwords unless we put action towards it,” said Executive Director, Shobha Sharma,”the younger we can teach children about the truths of colonial history and the ways to reconcile moving forward we can avoid discrimination, racism, and bullying.” Students were guided throughout the downtown, starting at Uda Dune Baiyoh, to the Native Friendship Centre, the courthouse, and the Central Interior Native Health Society clinic.

Kyle Sam is the harm reduction outreach coordinator at the Fire Pit Drop-in centre downtown and says events like this may help students understand intergenerational trauma. “I think this will help them understand the people that are downtown and the issues they face,” said Sam. CINHS hopes to expand on the event in the future and is looking for other community partners to come forward and help. “The biggest thing we’re hoping students take away is awareness, to generate compassion and empathy,” added Sharma,”if they understand why individuals are living in poverty today and why there’s a lack of culture and community as a result of separating individuals from their homes, we can help them understand there’s a role we all have to play in bringing indigenous people back to a playing field in which they are the leaders on this land.”