Regina high school and elementary students were given a presentation from Cadmus Delorme.
The Chief of the Cowessess First Nations talked at Balfour Collegiate about numerous topics, including following dreams, setting and achieving goals, and students’ role in truth and reconciliation.
Delorme said that for students learning about indigenous culture, he wanted to let them know how special of a journey it is.
“Just to reaffirm to them that the journey they’re on is an amazing journey, and I was here to just bring hope today to continue that journey.”
He said that as kids learn more about indigenous culture, they will teach the generations who came before them.
“In order to get to reconciliation, we first must understand the truth. Our education system is the driver of hope for us, and it is delayed gratification, and we are not going to know the impact until the generation gets older.”
“Sometimes there is a little bit of ignorance, a little bit of accidental racism just because of unknowing the truth,” he continued. “Today, our kids are being taught the truth. The challenge remains that I hope at the kitchen table, there is not a debate on the truth. There is no indigenous studies class for the older generation, so our youth are our teachers now, and as adults, we must turn on our student’s minds to re-learn.”
Delorme said that it’s easier now for youth to learn about truth and reconciliation because they only have to focus on the reconciliation part.
“Us, as adults, were still hung up on the truth right now,” he said. “Once you really focus on reconciliation, the social and economic impact in our province, our country, will lift so high. They’re the leaders in teaching the parents and grandparents at the kitchen table.”
He said he believes if we put in the hard work now, in one to two generations, true reconciliation can be achieved.
“My hope comes for my kids at the Cowessess First Nation to all Saskatchewanians of all different backgrounds, that one day in this beautiful province, there will be true reconciliation welcoming in indigenous world view, and parody will be here for all. We just have to put that hard work in today.”
Delorme added that he is very appreciative for the opportunity to speak to the students.
