NAN Residential School program hosting survivors gathering at Pelican Falls July 12-17
Oski Pawachiken (Renew Your Dreams)
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Residential School Program is planning a gathering of Residential School Survivors. Oski Pawachiken (Renew Your Dreams) will be held the week of July 12-17, 2009 at the Pelican Falls First Nations High School in Sioux Lookout, Ontario.
The agenda will cover:
FIRST NATION AND LOCAL HISTORY
HISTORY AND IMPACTS OF THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS
PERSONAL HEALING INITIATIVES
PERSONAL STORIES
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS BY ANGLICAN, CATHOLIC AND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES
GOSPEL JAMBOREE NIGHT
FUN NIGHT
FEAST
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
DIALOGUE WITH THE CHURCHES THAT OPERATED THE SCHOOLS
PHOTOGRAPH DISPLAYS
ARCHIVE MATERIAL DISPLAY
The emphasis of the gathering is healing and reconciliation. We have invited the churches to our gathering and they have accepted. An opportunity will be provided to the survivors to communicate with them. This is also an opportunity to celebrate ourselves as survivors and as Anishnawbe people.
There are four buildings that can accommodate up to twenty people each (total 80) on site at the Pelican Falls School. There are kitchen facilities in each building and the cost is $30/night for each person. Please note that it is every participant's responsibility to make your own arrangements for travel and accommodations.
Lunch and snacks will be provided all week and we are in the process of finding hosts to organize suppers on each night of the gathering. Thursday, July 16 there will be a feast for everyone and Lac Seul members have volunteered to host a fish fry on Wednesday, July 15. Additional expenses and other arrangements for food are the responsibility of the participant.
Please note that counsellors will be available on site for the duration of the gathering.
For a registration form, agenda or other inquiries please contact:
Donna Seguin, Residential School Program Assistant at:
Phone: 1 (807) 623-8228 or 1 (800) 465-9952
Fax: 1 (807) 623-7730
E-Mail: dseguin@nan.on.ca