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Local residential school student monument unveiled (photos)

NEWS RELEASE GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION ************************* Garden River honours former residential school students with commemorative plaque GARDEN RIVER, ON – The Garden River Wellness Centre and The Anishinabek Information Technology Ce

NEWS RELEASE

GARDEN RIVER FIRST NATION
 
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Garden River honours former residential school students with commemorative plaque
 
GARDEN RIVER, ON – The Garden River Wellness Centre and The Anishinabek Information Technology Centre (AITC) unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring their Former Residential School Students Wednesday evening.
 
This event was made possible through program funding under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Commemoration Initiative with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC).
 
The event took place at the Garden River Recreation Centre, where Chief Lyle Sayers welcomed former students, their families and special guests: Sault Ste. Marie Councillor Susan Myers, TRC Representative Viola Thomas, AANDC Representative Kathy Parry, and the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association Representative Harvey Trudeau.
 
“As a community it is important to recognize the tragedy our former Residential School Students have endured, this plaque will help recognize this pain and encourage our community to support and educate one another on this important matter.  The Plaque will also encourage our community to teach our children and surrounding communities about the residential school system and its legacy,” said Chief Lyle Sayers.
 
Through the Commemorative Initiative, Former Students within the community of Garden River First Nation were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops which enabled students to collect new information and share their expertise as well as renew and establish new friendships and support systems.
 
The programming was also intended to provide education and awareness to a broader audience regarding the Indian Residential School System and its legacy.
 
The Former Students had an opportunity to help develop the plaque creatively as they oversaw the design.
 
No names were placed on the plaque out of respect for missing students and at the request of those students who did not wish to be acknowledged. 
 
The permanent commemoration plaque for the Former Residential School Students will encourage community members as well as visitors of the GR Recreation Centre to learn about the history of the Indian Residential School System, as well as remember and/or pay tribute to former students and their families.
 
About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
 
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
 
Its mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 150-year history of the Residential Schools, and to guide and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.  
 
For more information, please click here
 
About Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
 
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) supports Aboriginal People (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and Northerners in their efforts to:
  • Improve social well-being and economic prosperity;
  • Develop healthier, more sustainable communities; and
  • Participate more fully in Canada’s political, social and economic development – to benefit all of Canadians 

For more information, please click here

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(Photo above provided by Garden River First Nation shows [left to right]: SSM Councillor Susan Myers, Chief Lyle Sayers, TRC Rep. Viola Thomas, AANDC Rep. Kathy Parry, and CSAA Rep. Harvey Trudeau)
 
(Photo below provided by Garden River First Nation shows Former Residential School Students with Commemorative Plaque)

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