Each year, Canada observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. As the Canadian Department of Heritage describes, “The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

As part of the process of reconciliation, as a result of a class action settlement known as The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Canada established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2007. For six years, the group travelled across Canada and to listen to survivors, recording the history of residential schools.

The TRC had three Commissioners – The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chief Wilton Littlechild and Dr. Marie Wilson.  The library will host Dr. Wilson for a talk at the Picton Branch on Wednesday, October 2 at 2 p.m. Space is limited. Tickets, $15, are available at peclibrary.org, at the Picton Branch Library, or by phone (613) 476-5962.  

Dr. Wilson has recent released a book about her experience in the TRC, called North of Nowhere – Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. As the book’s publisher, House of Anansi describes, “With the skills of a journalist, the heart of a mother and grandmother, and the insights of a life as the spouse of a residential school survivor, Commissioner Wilson guides readers through her years witnessing survivor testimony across the country, providing her unique perspective on the personal toll and enduring public value of the commission.” 

The talk will be an opportunity to hear about the historic Truth and Reconciliation process first-hand. In addition to discussing the book and reading excerpts, Dr. Wilson has agreed to take questions from the audience.

I was studying history in university when I first learned about residential schools. I know many adults who had never encountered the idea – even though the last residential school in Canada closed as late as 1996. Now, the history is taught in an age-appropriate way starting kindergarten when school classes read books like The Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad and participate in wearing orange shirts.  Learning about the history continues throughout the school years. The work of the Commission has helped ensure this history is not forgotten.

Our thanks to Councillor Bill Roberts for making this event possible and helping us bring this important voice to Prince Edward County.  Last year, he made it possible for us to host Dr. Wilson’s husband, Stephen Kakwfi, former premier of the Northwest Territories, to discuss his book Stoneface: Memoir of a Defiant Dene.