Honouring Survivors

Walking with Gratitude and Respect

The Honouring Survivors project was created to recognize the courage, resilience, and enduring strength of Residential School Survivors and their families. Through ceremony, community, and shared reflection, the project creates space to honour their experiences, celebrate their resilience, and acknowledge the vital role they continue to play in guiding the journey of reconciliation.

On November 14, 2019, approximately 150 Survivors and intergenerational Survivors gathered for a special healing ceremony. Together, they shared a day of remembrance, healing, and connection, recognizing the lasting impacts of the Residential School system while celebrating the strength of those who continue to share their stories with courage and generosity.

During the ceremony, the Healing Blanket, lovingly woven by ti'talus Audrey Joe Santiago, was presented to the community. Worn by respected healer Eugene Harry, the blanket became a powerful symbol of healing, protection, and hope, reflecting generations of Indigenous knowledge and the enduring strength of cultural traditions.

As an expression of gratitude and respect, the syiyaya Reconciliation Movement presented each Survivor with a red blanket bearing the syiyaya logo, honouring their courage, resilience, and the wisdom they continue to share. Their stories, teachings, and leadership remind us that reconciliation begins by listening, remembering, and walking together with humility and respect.