IRS Meetings Held Throughout Mi’kma’ki

In September 2013, Dr. Ian Mosby visited the Millbrook First Nation community to discuss his recent research concerning nutrition experiments that were performed on First Nations children who attended various Residential Schools across Canada.

Since April 2013, the Mi’kmawey Debert Indian Residential School (IRS) Legacy Program has been busy organizing and holding meetings for IRS survivors and their families. Coordinator Dorene Bernard and MDCC staff members Sheila Pierro and Shannon Googoo have travelled throughout Mi’kma’ki sharing information and discussing the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and IRS Legacy project. These gatherings initiated what will now be ongoing conversations about how IRS histories and experiences will be shared at the future Centre. The discussions among the survivors, their families, and our communities are helping to define the planning process for the Centre in terms of programs, exhibits and archives. The story-sharing, the questions, and the feedback continue to open our eyes and to deepen our understanding of how the IRS experiences have impacted the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik. The most common themes that have come forth during these meetings are the need for healing and cultural programs for survivor families and communities. In November 2013, the Federal government announced that, in order to meet its mandate, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be extended until June 30, 2015.

Member of the MDCC Elders’ Advisory Council, like Mary-Ellen Googoo here in Membertou First Nation with IRS coordinator Dorene Bernard, have been very generous with their time and energy for the Survivors Gatherings.

As a part of the IRS gatherings, Dorene led a healing exercise that involved the making of medicine bags.

For more information about the IRS Legacy Program, please click here.