A Cree elder is looking forward to moving toward finding “forgiveness for all churches and everyone” when he shares his journey, as a residential school survivor, at a Richmond Catholic church this Thursday.
Elder Don Tourangeau wants people to understand the things residential school survivors went through, and for his and other First Nations people’s voices to finally be heard on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
In June, the federal government declared Sept. 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to commemorate the history of residential schools and recognition of the ongoing trauma to Indigenous peoples.
“For me, it’s going to be painful, but it’s going to come to an understanding because we finally get to have the truth of our voices heard,” said Tourangeau.
“As a kid, from residential school to foster homes, people didn’t believe me, but today they know the truth.”
Tourangeau told the Richmond News that there has always been misrepresentation and stereotypes of the First Nations people.
“A lot of people look at us First Nations as people who are alcoholics and do stupid things, but we had no one to give us an understanding of rights and how things are supposed to be for us. There was no love and care as a kid.”
St. Joseph the Worker’s Pastor Fr. Pierre Ducharme called this event a “healthy and healing” opportunity and a “chance to learn and gain greater knowledge and understanding” about residential schools.
“While we are hosting the evening, it is a gift for us to have Elder Don Tourangeau take the courageous step towards us, and his desire to share his story with us,” said Ducharme.
“In the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, there was a call to action for churches to better educate themselves on residential schools. There’s no better way than to hear those stories first hand.”
As a Catholic priest, Ducharme said there are many mixed feelings for himself and for those whom he has spoken to regarding residential schools and the unmarked graves of residential school children.
“There’s lots of shame and anger that are mostly directed at ourselves and the way we have responded historically to the past and not having dealt with it in a healthy way,” he said.
“I think there’s a desire among Christians to do what we can to heal this relationship. At the same time, I personally believe, we also have to respect even more so where Indigenous peoples are at and what they may want and not want from us.”
He added that he has heard from certain members of the Indigenous communities that there is hope that “a long-term relationship can be forged.”
Elder Don Tourangeau will be speaking at St. Joseph the Worker Parish at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30.
