The IRS Legacy Project is a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Commemoration Project that began in April 2013. The goal is to establish a permanent Residential School Legacy Program at the future Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) — an opportunity to sustain the momentum of the TRC, and build on its work beyond 2015.
The IRS Legacy Program will honour the lives of survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School and their families through gathering, sharing and protecting the stories of survivors, families and communities for our future generations. To achieve this goal, we need the on-going contributions and involvement of Shubenacadie Indian Residential School survivors and their families.
During the 2013-14 year, IRS Legacy Project Coordinator Dorene Bernard, and MDCC Staff Shannon Googoo and Sheila Pierro, travelled to communities throughout Atlantic Canada to meet with survivors and their families.
The MDCC IRS Legacy project gathered input from attendees that reflects their life experiences including the IRS along with how to share and to honour those experiences at the future MDCC. Discussions about the MDCC plans for IRS exhibits were very informative and this input will be incorporated into the development of the future IRS Legacy Program, as it continues.
Mikwite’tmek, We Remember
Honouring Indian Residential School Survivors
The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre staff, and Elders’ Advisory Council that guides its direction, have been dedicated to sharing the stories of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School since 2002 when planning for MDCC began.
The 13-member MDCC Elders’ Advisory Council has been instrumental in helping to shape the programs at the MDCC, including the IRS Legacy Program. Five members of the Elders’ Advisory Council are survivors of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. Three MDCC staff are descendants of survivors and one is also a survivor.
MDCC IRS Legacy Program
Currently, there are three program areas for the MDCC IRS Legacy Program: Exhibits and Programs, Research and Archives, and Education and Outreach.
The experiences and histories of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School will be the focus of one exhibit area at the MDCC. During our meetings with survivors and their families, we reviewed some of the ideas for exhibits, including a historical overview, a listening room area, and opportunities for healing and expression. As a result of our discussions and the input of survivors and their families, we will now revisit our multi-level approach. We acknowledge the need for protocols for the safety and well being of all visitors including survivors and their families. Learn more or join the discussion here.
Research and Archives
The MDCC IRS Legacy Program Research and Archives contains documents, media and objects that reflect the lives and histories of IRS survivors and their families. Sources for the collections include government, church and personal records. The IRS Legacy project invites survivors and descendants to contribute their personal archives which we seek to create an entire life record, that will inform the IRS experience within the context of other life experiences. This IRS Legacy program will continue to grow as input is submitted. Learn more or join the discussion here.
Education and Outreach
As part of a larger curriculum project, the MDCC has developed a curriculum unit for grades 7 to 9 addressing aspects of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. Curriculum resources such as these will shape the education and outreach programs of the MDCC IRS Legacy program. See the curriculum unit, learn more and join the discussion here.
Join the Discussion, Send a Comment
Are you an IRS survivor? A descendant? We would like your input into the development of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre IRS Legacy Program. What could the MDCC do to share and preserve the legacies and histories of the IRS survivors? What do you want your grandchildren to know about your life and your generation? Please let us know.
We would like to thank all participants of our MDCC IRS Legacy Project Community Gatherings, who shared stories and input. We look forward to hearing from you again.
There were many survivors and family members who indicated during our gatherings that they would like to submit their contributions of pictures, stories, art and their profiles to be included within the exhibit and collections. There are many who could not be at our community gatherings and we welcome and invite those who would like to contribute to the IRS Legacy program to contact us.
- Post a public comment, or just browse the discussion below
- Would you rather send the MDCC a private comment? Contact Tim Bernard, Director of History and Culture, at tim@cmmns.com
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sharing our stories
Sorry to bother you guys but, I don’t think it’s “Indian”, you can either call it Aboriginal or First Nation. Most people make this mistake, but a First Nation being called “Indian”, can sometimes be offensive or quite rude. (Don’t worry though, these mistakes are often made and I don’t think this is the only article that has one)
Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time to comment, we encourage comments and love hearing feedback so its really no bother. I think you are referring to us using the term, “Indian” when we discuss our Indian Residential School Legacy Project? If so, we use the term, “Indian Residential School” because that is exactly what they are called. The name of the schools have not been changed. We’ve worked directly with many Indian Residential School Survivors and feel its important to use the name of the school in which they survived. Thank you again for your comment, we hope you have a great day.
Greetings. My name is Sylvia Smith and I was wondering if there is a record of children who died in the Shubenacadie IRS. I have a query from a teacher who has students doing research into the lives of the children and she was wondering where she could go to find this information out.
Hi Sylvia,
Our staff is aware of children who died while attending the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, but we are not aware of a formal record that has been kept (yet). We will check with a number of resource people and follow up with you.
Thank you for your query.
MDCC Staff
Easy to check out, readable…heck I had developed to leave a commment!
Greetings from North Queens Community School,
I am looking for some information and hoping that you might be able to provide some support. We are planning some activities to help our students wrap their heads around the story of our Mi’kmaq ancestors and their experience in residential schools. We are wondering if you could recommend any guest speakers who might be willing to speak with our students to help them gain clear understanding
Hi Julie, We are not sure of any guest speakers, but we can provide you with some information and IRS survivor profiles.
IRS profiles can be found here: https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/home/sharing-our-stories/indian-residential-schools-legacy-project/irs-survivor-profiles/
We recommend the following ones for elementary school students (others have more explicit trauma experiences that may not be suitable for younger audiences):
Jane Abram
Becky Julian
Andrew Lafford
Katherine Sorbey
IRS curriculum unit, see pages 71-87. Provides background summary on IRS, opening activities for students and a core Dante story activity: https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/home/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mikmawel_Tan_Telikinamuemk_Final_Online.pdf
Also the Dante story from the MTTK:
https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/home/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Pg_78-81_DOC_MnjasiDanteStory.pdf
We hope this helps!
I was adopted in the fifties I don’t know much about my past but I was wondering if I went to shubenackadie residential school my name was Sharon Margaret Elizabeth Cooley if you have any information I would greatly appreciated thank you for your time
Hi Sharon, We’re uncertain if there is a formal record of who attended Indian Residential Schools. If you believe you attended an IRS, we would recommend you contact the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and see if they have any resources for you. If we find any more information we will email you. Take care.
Hello,
I am the casting director of the series Anne with An E on Netflix and CBC. This year one of main stories centres around a Mi’kmaq family. My producer saw Katherine Sorbey in the film Rhymes with Young Ghouls and loved her . Jeff Barnaby, the director, gave us a phone number from a few years ago but we believe Katherine has moved. We would love to reach out to Katherine about a possible role coming up in our series.
Would you kindly pass on my name and email?
Thank you very much
Stephanie Gorin
Good afternoon Stephanie,
We reached out to Mrs. Katherine Sorbey and she informed us that Miranda Depencier has already been in contact with her for the upcoming role in your series. Katherine was very excited to tell us about it. Thank you for reaching out to us and glad we were able to assist you all. Good luck with the series and we look forward to watching it!
Wela’lin (Thank you),
Sheila Pierro-Tremblay
MDCC Project Admin
Hi My Name Is Linda Jones Looking For Information On My Mother She Was Placed In A Orphanage Or Taken As A Baby Along With Her Three Sisters In Nova Scotia Her Name Was Norma Joan Bowser Born Febrauary 22nd 1936 Norma Was Placed Back Into Her Mothers Custody At The Age Of Nine I Hope To Find Some Kind Of Information On My Mom And Her Three Sisters I Do Not Have Names Of My Grandparents I Am Going Into This Blindly Some Of The Information I Got My Mom Was First Nations
If You Cannot Help Me Is Their Another Direct I Can Take
Thank You
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much for reaching out to us and for browsing our website. In response to your enquiry, please expect an email from our communications officer.
Wela’lin!
Hello, I believe my Father attended the residential school. How do I confirm that as my Father has passed sometime ago and I just became aware of this.
Hello Kathy,
Wela’liek for sharing. We don’t have any specific resources but you can try and find information on your father at the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation. I hope this helps and that you find the answers you are looking for.
The MDCC Team
The Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia wishes to initiate a rug hooking project to acknowledge and remember the Residential school children and express our support for the legacy project.We are thinking of rug hooking 9×9 inch pieces with special designs form native artists form NS,NB and PEI.Lorne Julien of Millbrook First nations has been commissioned for a design form NS.,We would like to have 215 pieces created to form a travelling exhibit to First Nations facilities in the Maritimes.However,we are reaching out to native groups to see if this gesture would be welcome or not.As non-natives,we don’t want to be insensitive to such a painful time for you.We would welcome your comments on the matter
Hello Tanya,
What a lovely sentiment. Wela’liek for your care and support. My recommendation would be to reach out to Gerald Gloade at gerald@cmmns.com.
The MDCC Team
What book would you recommend for me to learn about the Mik’maq experience with Residential Schools and Colonialism? I am from Halifax, 65 now, and as a child I knew something secret was happening to the Native peoples, something bad. Living in Sechelt BC now I have learned so much from the Shishalh Nation and others on the West Coast. I am an Ally and wish to learn what was not in my school books.
Wela’lin
Linda Harris
lindafharris@hotmail.com
Hi Linda,
I have asked some of the team here at MDCC and these are what they recommend: Doug Knockwood’s memoir, Out of the Depths by Isabelle Knockwood, and Indian School Road by Christopher Benjamin. Alternatively, you can read IRS Survivor profiles on our website. I hope this helps with your journey of reconciliation.
Wela’lin,
MDCC Communications Officer
Kwe
I am Chlista and I would like any information about if possible monetary donations are accepted for the work and future works / efforts of your IRS legacy project.
Wela’lin
Chlista
Hello Chlista,
You most definitely can make a donation to our project. We are accepting donations for our overall project but if you are interested in donating to a specific program please contact our Fund Development Manager, Donna Wellard, at dwellard@cmmns.com and wela’lin for your interest and support of the work we do.
The MDCC Team