The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s final national event took place in Edmonton on Thursday.
It was the independent commission’s seventh national event.
There were more Indian residential schools in Alberta than in any other province.
TRC Commissioner Willie Littlechild says even though he’s had to hear painful accounts over the last five years, he has benefited from the stories of healing.
“It’s been really important for my own healing, my own healing journey,” he says. The courageous individuals who came forward to tell their childhood stories to us, and how they healed, really helped me. A lot of times we think that we were the only ones, and we’re not. This thing happened to many, many people – so when they shared good stories about how they healed themselves, it was so helpful for me to be able to open up and tell my own story. So it’s been such a blessing in that way.”
Meanwhile, the TRC announced the names of 14 prominent Canadians who will act as honourary witnesses at the four-day Alberta national event.
The list includes Governor General David Johnston.
The TRC recently had its mandate extended to June 2015.
The commission’s mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 130-year history of Indian residential schools in Canada.
Part of this mandate includes guiding and inspiring a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.