PHEASANT RUMP NAKOTA FIRST NATION - Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation held an event recognizing Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, with over 70 in attendance. All donned bright orange Every Child Matters t-shirts in recognition of all residential school survivors and victims.
After the unveiling of the sign, which reads “Every Child Matters – 6509 Discovered Safe Journey Home” at the entrance to Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation, Elder Joan McArthur gave a prayer for all the children who are here now. She prayed for their safety and everyone else’s safety.
“We give thanks for everything we have today.”
The group gathered together for a photo in front of the sign before heading over to take their seats in lawn chairs and picnic tables for a barbecue lunch of hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks, along with a time of fellowship.
Later on some of the younger students read short pieces including ‘What does Every Child Matters mean?,’ ‘What does an orange shirt symbolize the loss of?’ and ‘Why is Orange Shirt Day so important?’.
Chief Ira McArthur, who has held this position for the past seven years and was recently re-elected for another four-year term, gave his thoughts on what the Truth and Reconciliation Day means to him.
“On a personal level … it’s really hard to describe,” explains McArthur, “because there’s been so much injustice around the whole issue of residential schools.”
“It’s impacted our people in so many different ways that resulted in so many negative impacts in our community and within our families. Today is really about reminding the Canadian public about what has happened to Indigenous people here. That’s really important for us as Indigenous people because we feel that that recognition and acknowledgement hasn’t yet occurred. And that needs to happen before reconciliation can take place.
So in (Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau’s government, that has been a hefty word in his past term, reconciliation. It really means a lot to us as Indigenous people but at the same time there’s steps that need to be made prior to us being able to get into that process of reconciliation with the Canadian government.”
Have the elders passed down stories to the younger children?
“Some of our elders are more comfortable with sharing their stories than others,” explains Chief McArthur. “Of course you have to understand that some of them went through truly traumatic abuse at these schools. They are called upon from schools in the area to talk with the children. They base their topics of discussion on the maturity level of the kids they are talking to. From personal experiences with our elders here, based on what they’ve gone through they are still surviving and they encourage us as young people.”
Although McArthur never attended a residential school, many of his relatives have attended residential schools and it’s unfortunate today to see the results.
“As a community and as a family here at Pheasant Rump, we’re all related and we really look at ways that we can support one another. We hope to bring about a healthier, stronger family structure for our children that are growing up. That’s really important for us. Today is not about trying to remind people of the horrific past … it’s more about making sure that our children never have to go through anything similar to that.“
“Everybody’s healing path, including our elders, is unique to each individual. Here at Pheasant Rump, we’ve been through a lot as a community and as a First Nation but today we’re able to celebrate the Elders that we have and we hold them near and dear and cherish them. We take care of our elders because they have a wealth of knowledge and have those comforting words at times when First Nations have gone through struggling times and they’ve brought us this far.”
It’s about passing that torch from generation to generation and the healthy family structure is passed on to children and grandchildren.
“It’s important when we start to build partnerships and friendships with surrounding communities that they know of indigenous struggles.”
Elder Olive McArthur made a speech addressing the children, adults, grandparents, great grandparents, chief and council:
“I am a residential school survivor. Seventy years ago I was in Lebret Residential School. My parents were also survivors of residential schools. We are recognizing this day Truth and Reconciliation. The truth is we are all First Nations people but back then we were identified as Indians. We were treaty so the government put us all on reservations and they developed the Indian Act to look after us on the reserve. The truth is the Indian agent came along and ordered our parents to send us to residential schools to learn the ways of the white man in order to carry on our lives. The reconciliation is coming, it’s here. As a survivor I learned to be strong.”
Elder Joan McArthur speaks openly about her past experiences of residential school life. She has been asked to speak at many of the surrounding schools and events.
“I wear an orange skirt in honor of my culture, my identity, and having my freedom of who I am. I am a Nakota Cree – survivor of the residential schools. To be able to celebrate who I am today is a big celebration for me.”
She says it is definitely easier to talk about the past now that everything has come to light.
“When we first started talking about this, I could hardly say the words residential school. I would start shaking,” as she recalls her past experiences.
As she shares her stories with family time and time again, McArthur says it does get easier talking about what happened years ago.
“How lucky we are to be survivors,” she said, “because there’s lots that weren’t.”
“Just to be a survivor is something because otherwise my family wouldn’t be here today.”
“I’ve got a big family including three children, 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.”
“It goes back to my mom and dad. My father was a survivor of a residential school and also a veteran.”
“The history of Canada is finally coming out! It’s been swept under the rug for so long. The truth is finally being told.”
