Saskatoon Promoting Residential School Awareness

Saskatoon Promoting Residential School Awareness

Thursday, February 07, 2008 at 13:27

 

 

The City of Saskatoon wants more non-Aboriginal people to understand what happened to First Nations and Metis people at residential schools and the impact that’s had on generations.

 

That’s why two information sessions on the topic will be held in the city today.

 

Monica Goulet is the city’s cultural diversity and race relations coordinator.

 

She says misconceptions about Aboriginal people are common, and as a result, they create animosity.

 

Goulet says one of the most prevalent myths is that Aboriginal people “get everything for free” — a mentality she attributes to a lack of understanding of Aboriginal history.

 

Goulet says City of Saskatoon employees will be there, and hopes many members of the public attend, as well.

 

The sessions will feature Jackie Miller from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and filmmaker Lisa Meeches, who will be showing documentary footage of residential school survivors.

 

The sessions begin at 2:30 this afternoon and 7:00 tonight at the Cosmo Civic Centre.