'My generation is really just trying to heal': Indigenous youth turn to elders to honour past, move forward
The next generation of leaders are looking to the past to move reconciliation forward in Quebec.
For the first time ever, Concordia University's Indigenous Otsenhákta Student Centre held a pow-wow.
“It's a way of showing our resilience as a people and to say we're still singing our songs, still speaking our language, still cooking our food,” Interim Director Tsisto Jacco said.
The centre has been around for 30 years, marking the anniversary with a pow-wow.
“I just hope that as they come here and get involved, they also start learning about our cultures and how diverse and different we are,” pow-wow student organizer Morningstar Fayard said.
The pow-wow brings together nations from all over Quebec, including Inuit, Mohawk, and Cree nations.
“What I hope for our future is that our youth will become more educated.”
In Chisasibi, 1,500 kilometres from Montreal, Chief Daisy House says almost two thirds of the community of 5,000 people is under the age of 30.
Helping her community move forward is at the forefront of her goals. Part of that involves bringing up some painful memories.
They plan to use ground-penetrating radar to see if there any unmarked graves where the community's residential schools were located nearby Fort George Island.
“These are firsthand accounts. It's not hearsay,” House said. “A lot of people are still alive we have 80- and 90-year-olds telling us stories and we find the majority wanted to find out the truth.
This summer, the pope came to Quebec City where he issued an apology. One of the people who travelled to hear it was Carleton University Student Allison Macleod, a member of the Cree community of Mistissini.
“I found that the worst part was that the apology wasn't directed at the survivors, but the people in the room,” Macleod said.
Her grandmother is a residential school Survivor.
“The atrocities that happened in the residential schools, they may not ever be forgiven, but at least there needs to be accountability and justice to move forward for reconciliation.”
Kahnawake's complicated legacy looms over the town. Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer says she's also determined to take steps to move ahead.
“We could all dwell on the negative history that Indigenous people have had in this region and this country we call Turtle Island, or we could say all right, what does the future look like going forward,” Sky-deer said.
She says change is starting to happen.
“We're seeing now, land acknowledgements, things we didn't hear about 20 years ago. We have the ability now to have our footprint, and have our voices loud and proud. Yeah, I do see a shift, and a change in people who want to be our allies.”
House say she has hope, despite obstacles, saying it rests with the younger generation.
“My generation is really just trying to heal what has happened, and uphold also all the important values that our elders carried on to our life,” Fayard said.
They are hoping to take the next steps on a path forward that also respects their past.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.