These seven short videos, produced by Coop Nitaskinan, feature testimonials from survivors and heirs of Indian residential schools. In order of appearance, you will meet Florence Petiquay, Gabrielle Vachon-Laurent, Yannick Dubé, Pauline St Onge, Simon Awashish, Oscar Kistabish, and Madeleine Basile. We thank them for sharing their personal stories.
English translation of Pauline St-Onge's final message in Innu-Aimun :
"Believe! Believe in yourself and believe in life. That's what I want to tell you. When you have confidence, you can go far. Thank you."
English translation of Simon Awashish's final message in Atikamekw :
"When I think back on all that, when I see how we live, and also where we live now, in the community... I think back on it and see how things are changing, how things have changed, and how we are looking for ways to live better. The way I see it, education is really important. We have to take charge of it and move towards it. And even more than that, we have to be able to pass it on effectively, to educate young people well. Things will be fine. We will be able to preserve our language and our culture. But we also need to learn other things and use them. That's why I say education is important. It helps. We need to be open to all the knowledge and learning in the world. I have always said and believed this, and even more so among young people today. That's it."
English translation of Oscar Kistabish's final message in Anishinaabemowin:
"I would like to speak to young people. We went to residential school. We got through it. But what you are going through is different. You can see that it is not the same. So I say to you, “Observe carefully.” That is what I have to tell you. Now I am here. I'm alive. I'm happy to see all kinds of people, especially children running around. I say to you, Thank you.”
English translation of Madeleine Basile's final message in Atikamekw:
"Hello, I say “hello” to all of you. Believe in yourselves strongly. Our culture is magnificent. You must appreciate yourselves greatly. That is what has been sorely lacking: love. There has been too little of it. So today, love yourselves! For those who had to go to residential schools, your parents and grandparents...show them love! So that's it, if you're going through something difficult, talk about it. Don't keep it to yourself. You can talk to someone: your father, your mother, your grandfather, your grandmother, or your brother and sister. Don't be embarrassed. Talk about it! So that's it for me. Thank you and see you next time! Goodbye."
The long period of residential schools and the entire process of investigation and recognition saw the emergence of individuals whose commitment and history helped advance the duty of remembrance and reconciliation. We invite you to discover some of them.
