A gathering that begins in Prince Albert Tuesday will be focusing on teaching First Nations youth what has been culturally lost due to the legacy of the Indian residential school system.
The Call to Action 66 – Residential School Gathering is being hosted by the Prince Albert Grand Council.
It is based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendation that says youth should be a part of the reconciliation process.
PAGC residential school health support worker Anita Parenteau says the event will focus on teaching youth some of the cultural traditions that have been lost because of the residential school system.
“The gathering is geared towards teaching the youth protocol based on what we’ve lost to our culture, our language, our ceremonies,” she says. “You know, everything that we’ve lost during the residential school era.”
She adds the cultural knowledge is still there, it is just a matter of rediscovering it.
“I called it ‘Igniting the Fire Within’ because of that reason. Because we all have teachings within our mind from our ancestors – our kokums and our mushums.”
The event will feature teachings on tepees, the significance of tobacco and treaties.
It takes place at the Senator Allan Bird Memorial Gym and winds up on Thursday.
It is expected between 150 to 200 youth will attend the gathering.
(PHOTO: Prince Albert Grand Council logo. Photo courtesy PAGC Facebook page.)