First Nation Elders, drummers, and dancers joined with administrators, students, and staff at Connaught School last week for the presentation of a framed copy of Treaty Six and the official Government of Canada apology for residential schools.
Living Sky School Division’s Board of Education, represented by Richard Hiebert on this occasion, is holding similar events in all its schools, ensuring these documents will be displayed permanently. Treaty Six will be as much a part of each Living Sky School as the Canadian flag, the picture of the Queen, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Director of Education Randy Fox explained his view of Treaty Six in terms the students, pre-kindergarten through Grade 7, could readily understand. The treaty, he said, is an agreement between nations that help us all live together and prosper, which means to have a good life for everyone. An apology, he continued, is when we say we are sorry for hurting you through the residential school experience and take responsibility for it.
Elder Teresa Sapp and Treaty Six Keeper Ben Wuttunee had strong messages for the students about the Treaty.
Elder Sapp spoke of the sacred nature of the treaty, based on the belief that fighting is not right. She said we are all the same as humans and must find a way to live together. She recalled her own experience in residential school and said, although she learned a lot, the priests and nuns were often harsh and mean to her. She concluded by telling the students, “We survive because we heal.”
Wuttunee brought the original Treaty with him, and spoke about its guarantee of health care and education for First Nations people. Speaking to the drummers and dancers who were to perform, he reminded them of a time when those same dances and many cultural ceremonies were forbidden by law. Wuttunee left the students with a positive picture of the future, recalling his grandfather’s advice to be a warrior, not a gang member. He said, “Being a warrior isn’t about fighting, it’s about using your mind to become who you want to be.”
A student drum group led by Colin Stonechild provided traditional music for student dancers. The dancers performed directly in front of Treaty Six and letter of apology. The director of education noted in his closing remarks how appreciative he is of the First Nation drumming and dancing, activities that wouldn’t have been welcomed in many public schools 30 years ago.
Connaught parents Andrea and Rocky Lonesinger received the framed Treaty and letter of apology on behalf of the school community council.
Rocky said he was honoured to be part of the event, which “brought us back to our roots.”
Andrea said she was involved “because I want our children to know we have a culture.”
All the schools in Living Sky School Division are receiving a framed copy of Treaty Six and letter of apology for permanent display in a respectful setting within the school.
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