Day One of a three-day Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathering is underway in La Ronge.
It is one of many community hearings being held in preparation for a National TRC event in Saskatoon later this month.
TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson is one of the officials attending the meetings.
Wilson says all Canadians have a part to play in the ongoing effort to learn more about the residential school era:
“The country is grossly ignorant about this history. And yet, many citizens in Canada have big opinions about Aboriginal people, and they’re very often based on harsh judgments and stereotypes — and sometimes all wrapped up in racism, as well — because people don’t know why things are they way they are.”
She says part of the reconciliation process is for families to learn what the older generations went through at residential schools.
Wilson notes there has been a strong interest from young people:
“I think you would be surprised and overwhelmed with the extent to which young people are hungry for that, and are very forgiving — because they want to have a loving relationship with their parents, as much as the parent wishes for it. We all know we can’t change the past, but we can claim the present and we can reframe the future — and I think that’s the opportunity before us all.”
The hearings continue this afternoon at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre.
There are also social events planned for this evening, hosted by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
More TRC hearings are scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday.