Youth at centre of Truth and Reconciliation

What was a huge event at John Abbott College, involving two Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) council chiefs, several federal ministers and members of parliament (MP) including Indigenous Services minister Mandy Gull-Masty, a lot of media coverage, and dozens of students, started off with a simple letter sent to Gull-Masty by the CEGEP’s Indigenous Students Club.

The letter, penned by club executive Shannelle Moar, invited Gull-Masty to come to the school for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Gull-Masty accepted without hesitation. She said that showing up for grassroots initiatives like the student club is important to her, as it reflects her own path into politics.

“For me this day, and this type of activity is critical. I come from a very humble beginning. I was raised by a single mom. I know the importance of education. It really transformed my life,” said Gull-Masty.

“I really think that we have to speak to this next generation that’s living with the legacy of this, really uplifting them to take the leadership positions that they should rightfully fill.”

It was supposed to just be Gull-Masty giving a presentation, but soon many of her colleagues in Parliament decided to join her at the CEGEP for the event – namely Melanie Joly, minister of Industry, Marjorie Michel, minister of Health, as well as Liberal MPs Carlos Leitão, Francis Scarpaleggia, Eric St-Pierre, Tatiana August, Abdelhaq Sari, and Natilien Joseph.

“It’s not very often that you get a presence like that, as a first-time MP and minister in cabinet. I really appreciate and want to express so many thanks to my colleagues for being present,” said Gull-Masty.

Kim Tekakwitha Martin, the dean of Indigenous Education at John Abbott, saw it as an encouraging sign of engagement on the government’s part.

“There are so many other events that are going on across Canada today, and for them to come to John Abbott, it really shows that we’re building a respectful relationship with our Indigenous students. As we increase our numbers of staff and faculty, we’re building welcoming environments so that we can meaningfully go down that road together,” said Martin.

In front of the assembled crowd, Gull-Masty, who is Cree, said that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is a day that is very personal to her, as the child of a residential school survivor.

Her mother attended La Tuque Residential School, and one day, when she was nine, Gull-Masty went with her mother to visit the site of the school, as a portion of it was being demolished.

“My mother shared with me her stories of where she played. She showed me the closet where she hid. She showed me the spaces that she shared with her friends. It’s a hard reality, but I’m so pleased I shared that moment with her,” said Gull-Masty, who was visibly emotional while sharing that story.

At her behest, the minister shared her time in front of the crowd with residential school survivor Clara Napash, who went to Fort George Residential School in Fort George (now Chisasibi), Quebec.

Napash said that the students there should never forget to always go for their goals in life.

“We are given talents by the Creator, and those talents, we have to make good use of them in order for our generations to be a strong nation,” said Napash.

“I am so proud of you. I will always remember this day. It’s such a special day.”

Napash was part of the contingent that met with Pope Francis when he visited Quebec City in 2022, as was Gull-Masty.

Napash had the opportunity to say a few words to Francis’ interpreter, where she cited the Lord’s Prayer, “forgive us for our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed for us.”

“If we don’t forgive people, we will be carrying our burdens and all the traumas to the grave,” said Napash.

She added that those that went through residential school are more than survivors: they are warriors.

Gull-Masty said that there are no wrong ways to process the trauma of residential schools.

“If you’re in a place like Clara, where you are ready to forgive, even if you’re in a place where you’re not ready to speak about it, residential school is a very personal journey. It is a healing journey. We support all survivors with where they are,” said Gull-Masty.

MCK grand chief Cody Diabo, who was in attendance along with council chief Iohahi:io Delisle, agreed with that perspective.

“We need to make sure that they understand that the forgiveness is there, but they need to change as well,” said Diabo.

He was impressed with the event, and that the youth should seize moments like this where they can speak to those in power and let them know what they want out of reconciliation.

“At the end of the day, it’s their voice. To start working towards reconciliation, they need to get on their elected officials and push what they want as a people and not get dictated to,” said Diabo.

“No matter how young you are, look at what you can do. People will listen. Our ministers are listening. Government is listening. Get involved,” said Martin.

Layna-April Riverine Rock, president Indigenous Students club at John Abbott, could feel that power.

“You don’t realize how much power you have until you ask specifically to do something like this,” said Riverine Rock, who is Innu.

“Us Indigenous people have the power to be heard. I love that we can be heard because there’s other communities that cannot be heard. We can make this happen.”

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