Everyone has their own truth behind Sept. 30.
For me, I reflect on the hardships that my maternal great-grandparents endured at Indian residential school, and how strong they were.
My great-grandmother Dorothy attended Kuper Island Indian residential school and my great-grandfather Harold attended Sechelt Indian residential school followed by St. Mary’s in Mission.
They met in 1948 working together at the Steveston Cannery and together had seven children, which included my grandfather Walter.
The impacts of Indian residential school continued through the “day schools” system and the 60’s scoop, Oral tradition has allowed our peoples to understand the real truth for decades and have a voice for our ancestors that endured severe abuse and culture loss at these institutions. The year I was born, was the year the last “school” was closed in Canada (1996).
Through strength and perseverance, First Nations have been begging for Canadians to see our truth and history.
Let’s use National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a reminder to listen, work together, and build that bridge to connect us, and not divide us.
-Executive Coun. Taylor Baker, Tsawwassen First Nation
