Martensville, Warman and Waldheim are among the Wheatland Regional library branches that will be hosting a speaker on ‘the legacy of residential schools.’
Wheatland Regional Library is partnering with Tony Stevenson to share his knowledge on the impact of residential schools on the lives of Indigenous children and families, and the legacy of these schools in Canada. The events include the screening of the film, ‘We Were Children.’
Stevenson is scheduled to speak:
* in Warman at the theatre in the Legends Centre on Tuesday, September 21;
* in Waldheim at the Community Centre (4009 2nd Avenue East) on Saturday, September 25; and
* in Martensville at the North Ridge Centennial Community Centre on Monday, September 27.
All three presentations begin at 7:00 p.m.
Partnering with Tony on the launch of the Legacy of Residential Schools tour has been an important step for the organization and the region.
“We hope that our work with Tony will help more individuals and communities recognize the role they have on the path towards truth and reconciliation” said Kim Hebig, Director, Wheatland Regional Library.
Stevenson is an Anishinaabe First Nation from Treaty 4 land. He attended the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School at Lebret, Saskatchewan from Grade 5 to 12.
Stevenson worked extensively with former students of residential schools during the IAP compensation process and has worked tirelessly to educate communities on the history and truth of the residential school system in Canada.
Stevenson’s professional and personal experiences have given him the ability to be an advocate for residential school survivors. His goal is to expand the Legacy of Residential Schools Tour from Saskatchewan to reach across the whole country.
“The common question now is, what can I do to help?” said Stevenson. “I am honoured to have been chosen by many of my First Nations Elders and my extended Residential School Family to speak on their behalf. Many of them are no longer with us because they left way too early on their Journey to the Spirit World. Through no fault of their own, just being born a First Nation, was a tragedy in this time of the building of this country.
“The message they ask me to share is of their truth, and mine, of a painful past that we have to endure, every day. The priests, nuns, and administrators of these schools are no longer here but their footprint is. That intergenerational trauma is alive and well and is thriving in our own communities.”
Wheatland Regional Library will be hosting a number of presentations as part of this tour in September, with more dates to follow in October.
Individuals from all communities are invited to attend an event in their area. The public should be aware that Tony’s presentation includes a screening of the film We Were Children, which deals with mature subject matter and view discretion is advised. More information about the tour can be found on the Wheatland Regional Library website at www.wheatland.sk.ca .
“With these presentations I hope to appeal to the genuine humanity of the hearts of the Canadians that want to learn and more importantly, understand, so that we can change the future by way of actions and not just words,” said Stevenson. “I believe if you want to be called a Canadian, learning and owning the real history of the past is a mandatory requirement so it is never repeated.”