Hundreds gather at Government House in Regina for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty hosted an event for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Residential School Memorial on the grounds of Government House in Regina.
With around 450 students from the neighbouring Luther College High School, the gathering featured a blessing from Elder John Stonechild, a speech by Mirasty and a musical performance from Saskatchewan’s own Brad Bellegarde.
“Kids relate to the arts, to music,” Bellegarde said.
“I'm just happy that they get to come out, over on a holiday and listen to some music and they probably are going to have some good discussions in their classrooms following this day."
Bellegarde is a renowned hip-hop artist who said music saved him. His rhymes include stories about his experiences, his parent’s experiences, overcoming obstacles and seeing the bigger picture.
He tells his story through his art and while he did not personally attend residential schools, the generational trauma has impacted him, and he believes it is his responsibility to share as much as he can.
"Honouring the lived experience of my parents, my family, my ancestors, you know, like I said I'm a first generation non-residential school survivor, so to me that means I need to do as much work as possible,” he said.
Inspiring youth to stand up and speak up and learn from the traumas of the past, Bellegarde teaches year round to help them learn to express in a healthy way.
“One thing hip hop and rap did for me was it gave me self confidence,” Bellegarde said.
“It’s all in instilling that confidence and empowering the youth I their mind to show that they are worthy, they are good enough to do something, they can speak up, they are valid… their thoughts, their ideas are all relevant.”
As for Mirasty, hosting a youth oriented event at the memorial was fitting. Being a residential school survivor himself, he believes the way forward is through education - and coming together.
"You know on a personal level it can get very emotional, and at times dark,” he said. “But at the same time we want to be able to share that in a way that people start to understand, start to appreciate the history and the stories and that there’s a better way forward.”
Mirasty wants the next generation to understand Canada’s history, and also to learn from it for a better tomorrow.
“Learning a little bit ... really opening their minds to the realities and the truths of residential schools and start to think about it and maybe ask questions."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.