'We were forgotten': Sixties Scoop, residential and day school survivors reconnect with lost culture
Dozens of survivors who lived through residential and day schools, as well as the Sixties Scoop, came together at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg Saturday to reconnect with their culture.
As part of a symposium organized by Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), people were encouraged to share their stories of survival – helping reclaim what they lost when they were taken from their families.
“We want everybody to hear us because we were forgotten,” said Beverly Lee, a Sixties Scoop survivor. “And now we want to move on with our lives so we can help other people, all the Métis people with the residential schools, the day schools.”
Lee, who is 70 years old, had six siblings growing up. She said her parents would often tell them to go and hide to prevent their children from being taken away.
“I survived the Scoop. I am proud of my parents for hiding me,” she said.
According to MMF president David Chartrand, the Sixties Scoop – which roughly began in the early 1960s and lasted into the 1980s – was a period when child welfare authorities would take Indigenous children from their families, place them into foster homes, before they were adopted by white families.
“A lot of kids were scooped up from their houses for no apparent reason whatsoever,” Chartrand said. “And people never knew what happened to them.”
Lee said she also faced physical abuse once she attended Catholic school. But she said participating in the symposium helped make her stronger.
“You hear their stories, and you can relate to their stories,” she said. “You heal.”
“I'm getting stronger every day because I've put it in the back of my mind for so many years, that it's only now coming out.”
But Lee and Chartrand said more can be done to support survivors.
“If you go into our Métis villages, there are no supports,” Chartrand said. “To this day, this country has never resolved that issue of ‘How do we help these people? We did all the wrong we did all the damage, how do we help fix it?’”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.