Thousands of people gathered for the TRC event in Prarieland Park, Saskatchewan’s biggest indoor exposition space. With 200, 000 square feet of conference space, the venue was well suited to the larger-than-expected turnout.
In the Learning Area, Presbyterian, United, Anglican and Roman Catholic archivists had set up displays and arranged handouts about the schools they operated. Several hundred school images were arranged in binders for easy perusal.
Typically the images feature school buildings and surrounding property, as well as students and staff in school activities or in posed class shots. From past TRC events, we knew these photos would be highly sought out by survivors and their families. Photocopiers were at hand: many would want an immediate copy of selected photos for their personal collection.
Each morning we greeted curious and hopeful faces. Some approached us tentatively, others less so. They patiently read over the historical text on the display board and collected our handouts, but enthusiastically hovered around the enlarged labeled photos, which date from the late 19th century to the 1960s. Were these pictures of their family members? As they looked through the photo binders and student name index, faces began to light up.
Tables and comfortable chairs had been set up by TRC volunteer staff to facilitate lengthy perusal and conversation. Often whole families would cluster together, poring over a binder while the eldest family member relayed personal stories of school life. On occasion there was laughter at the stories told or joy expressed at spotting a childhood friend, but most often it was an intense and grief-ridden time for the family. Many tears and comforting hugs were shared over those few days.
TRC’s national events provide the churches with the opportunity to bring archived photos to survivors in regional settings across the country. Students of residential schools never had the opportunity to obtain their class photos or any other documentation relating to their time at the schools. On more than one occasion, I had to use our name index to help a survivor find themselves in a school photo because they did not know which face was their own —they had never seen a photo of themselves as a child. These were incredibly powerful times of sharing. In that moment you feel such deep sadness for all they lost in childhood—loss of family, culture and sense of self. Yet, I also felt blessed because we could provide survivors with these records—something that was precious to them—and humbled by the gentle and generous spirit with which they were accepted.
Two former Birtle School students, a lady and a gentleman, made the four hour round trip from Prince Albert to Saskatoon each day of the TRC. Their main reason was to pore over the Birtle photo albums and provide names for those students we had not yet previously been able to identify. By the third day, we were all on a first-name basis and conversation flowed easily.
The lady shared some of her trauma experienced at the school. She continued to carry this with her. The gentleman indicated that Birtle was more of a neutral experience for him, but recognized the terrible hurt in others, and was now trying to help survivors on their healing path. (At present, the Archives office remains in contact with this gentleman.)
Because of these and many other similar encounters, there is hope that positive re-connection, through increased trust, is happening at these national events. Residential school documents facilitate our collective understanding of past events and provide talking points for dialogue with all Canadians.
It is so important for this story to be open and available—and be told over and over again to as many audiences as possible. May this story be discussed during family dinner conversations, shared with friends, witnessed in sermons and responded to by church committees.
As many have already stated: we must never forget what happened and it must never be repeated. With the firm convictions expressed in the Presbyterian Church in Canada’s 1994 Confession to Aboriginal Peoples—and with God’s help and grace —let it be.
