Regina Mayor Sandra Masters was one of many provincial and municipal delegates who attended Healing Gatherings around the city Tuesday.
The day featured pipe ceremonies and feasts in honour of children who died while attending Residential Schools, after the bodies of 215 children were found in Kamloops.
Masters says the day was somber and full of reflection.
“It was hard to hear the stories of the survivors, but non-Indigenous responsibility, according to truth and reconciliation, is that we honour their spirituality, their customs, and their culture,” said Masters. “That was really an attempt to continue the healing relative to Residential Schools.”
She says the only way to truly accomplish reconciliation is to learn the truth, adding it’s our duty to tell the stories of those who didn’t make it home.
“Discuss that discovery of the little ones that never made it home, discuss the role of Residential Schools in our nation’s history and in our community’s history, that is a way that families can practice reconciliation,” said Masters. “That understanding is paramount to move forward in healing, but also in terms of wrapping our arms around all members of our community.”
When asked if Regina is doing enough on the path of reconciliation, Masters said it’s a never-ending goal.
“I think every day we can practice education, learning, understanding, compassion,” said Masters. “The part that I’ve learned about, in part of my journey, is that the truth is of paramount importance, and that’s why this discovery last week is evidence of the truth. So, to talk about that and garner more understanding and compassion is what’s needed.”
