Remembering the Children

Aboriginal and Church Leaders prepare for Truth and Reconciliation

A Tour in Four Cities

Held in Vancouver March 5, 2008

At the Vancouver School of Theology

and UBC Museum of Anthropology

View Pictures of the Event

On Wednesday, March 05 church and aboriginal leaders gathered at VST along with several hundred others in honour of "Remembering the Children: Moving Toward Truth and Reconciliation". After dinner, and a dessert reception hosted by 50 delegates to the Canadian Theological Students Conference, also being held at VST this week, the gathered group made a ceremonial walk from VST to the Museum of Anthropology where leaders spoke of the road behind and the road ahead as we move together toward healing from the past harms of our shared residential school legacy.

This ceremonial walk and the speeches which accompanied it signal the beginning of the work of a national truth and reconciliation commission which will move across the country over the next 5 years hearing from the many peoples affected by this experience.

As those gathered prepared to embark, Principal of VST, Wendy Fletcher spoke of the liberation to be found in finding the courage to name and own the story which is our common legacy, "Know the truth and the truth will set us free." Dr. Martin Brokenleg, Director of VST's Native Ministries Degree program then spoke of the symbolic meaning of the walk, as act of solidarity, resistance and movement beyond harming histories.

Speeches delivered at the MOA, including film clips of the residential school experience conveyed in a powerful way the intention of the five year work which lies ahead of us. All conveyed deep commitment to the complex and challenging moment in history which has been given to this generation to hold. All committed to hold this work together, with courage and in hope.