Richard Froese

For Lakeside Leader

Sucker Creek First Nation unveiled a special monument on National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30.

Chief Barb Okemow and the band council dedicated the Residential School Survivors’ Memorial at a ceremony on the day to recognize the legacy of Indian residential schools and honour the victims and survivors of those institutions.

Located along Highway 2, the monument was dedicated to Sucker Creek students who attended St. Bruno’s Residential School in Joussard that operated from 1913-69.

“In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, this monument is to honour the past and present Indian residential school survivors,” Okemow says in her speech.

“We honour the ones that came home while we pray for and remember the ones that didn’t.”

She says the national day is important in Canada.

“It’s a day where Canada is educated about the history of residential schools and the impact it had on Aboriginal people,” Okemow says.

“Shared stories resulted in 94 calls to action that have raised awareness to all of Canada and resulted in a national holiday.

Progress has been made to educate Canada about Indigenous people, she says.

“Canada must continue to listen and learn as we continue our journey towards reconciliation,” Okemow says.

School survivor Dorothy Jobin shared about her 11 years as a student at St. Bruno’s school.

“It was torture for everyone,” says Jobin, president of the Sucker Creek Elders Committee.

“It was all about horrible abuse.”

Students were even robbed of their culture.

“All we knew was our language,” Jobin says.

“They took that away from us.”

However, she lived to tell her story.

“We were survivors – I am a survivor,” Jobin says.

She says the school had a lot of graduates from Sucker Creek.

“There were success stories,” Jobin says.

“We learned how to cope.” Councillor Lisa Badger says the stories help survivors and their families to continue on the road to recovery.

“We’re moving forward – we’re healing,” Badger says.

Councillor David Cunningham says the monument has been in the work for a few years.

“Our elders have wanted this for a long time,” Cunningham says.

“Everyone who suffered, you are warriors. “We must move on.”

Councillor Lucas Willier celebrated the survivors for sharing their stories.

“I want to begin by acknowledging the strength, courage and resilience of all the survivors,” Willier says.

“I also honour the spirits of our children who never made it home.

“Their memory lives in in our hearts, in our prayers and in the work we continue to do for justice and healing.”

He encouraged the survivors.

“To the survivors, you carry stories that are painful beyond words,” Willier says.

“You carry scars that cannot always been seen, but which have shaped your lives and your families for generations.

“Yet, you are still here – you are still standing.

“And your survival is a powerful act of resistance.”

He said the stories of survivors are valuable.

“We gather here not to reopen wounds, but to say clearly – we hear you, we believe you and we stand with you,” Willier says.

“The truths you have shared about residential schools are not just personal stories – they are part of the history of our country.

“And it’s our responsibility to ensure that this history is never denied, never forgotten
and never repeated.”

He said the survivors are an inspiration.

“Your strength has paved the way for truth-telling, for reconciliation and for change,” Willier said.

“Because of you, the voices of our elders and knowledge keepers are guiding us back to who we are.

“Because of you, our young people are learning their languages, their songs, their ceremonies and their teachings again.”

He also said the road may be long and hurts can be healed.

“We also recognize that healing is a journey – one that takes time, one that requires support and one that cannot be walked alone,” Willier said.

“As a community, we must continue to provide spaces for healing, for culture, for ceremony and for connection.

“And as leaders, as family and as friends, we must commit to walking beside survivors every step of the way.”

He further thanked the survivors for their perseverance and sharing their stories.

“Today, we honour your courage, we honour your survival,” Willier says.

“And we honour the legacy of love and strength you pass on to the next generations.

“To the survivors, we thank you for carrying these truths, even when it was painful.

“Thank you for teaching us what resilience truly means.

“And thank you for reminding us that no matter how deep the darkness, the light of our people will always shine.

“We are here because of you – we are strong because of you.

“And we will remember – always.”