In response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, to honour the students and survivors of the St Augustine Indian Residential School in Sechelt and in the spirit of sk’ák’ts’ítáwílh (people working together), the Syiyaya Reconciliation Project launched the reconciliation Movement on Wednesday April 25th, 2018 at the shíshálh Longhouse. It began with a potluck feast, followed by a ceremony, emceed by shíshálh Protector of Culture, xwash Steven Feschuk. The ceremony included performances by the tl’ikwem dancers, speeches from Movement co-chairs Garry Feschuk and Cam Reid, testimonies of Residential and Day School Survivors, a description of the activities of the movement by John and Nancy Denham, gifts for honoured dignitaries and all guests, and the reflections of witnesses. It was a powerful day and the beginning of something beautiful. Here are a few images of that event.
syiyaya reconciliation 