TRUTH & RECONCILIATION GATHERING. JUNE 10 at 11 a.m. upstairs at The Bookshelf.

We are honoured, humbled and very grateful that a number of local First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Mixed Ancestry Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Healers and Helpers have accepted offers of semaa to walk with the Guelph Wellington community as part of the Truth & Reconciliation  Gathering on June 10 beginning at 11a.m. at the Bookshelf.

The focus that day is to reflect on "Education: the roles and responsibilities of  Institutions within the journey of reconciliation and how Institutions build relationships that are respectful and reciprocal with indigenous people."

Over many years, indigenous people living in this area have experienced a broad range of experiences with institutions.  This has resulted in both some strong Institutional Allies and some strained Institutional relationships! How do we as individuals and institutions reflect on just some of these specific learnings of the most recent past 60 years..... and build each other up in a good way for the greater good of the whole community?

Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Healers and Helpers that have had experiences with Institutions and Systems involving Literacy, Incarceration, Public/Catholic Schools Boards, Social Justice, Mental Health, Hospitals, and Apprehension of Our Children will guide the 'harvesting and sharing of stories from our community'!  Honouring Place and the Holding of Place in a safe way for self and each other will be the gift brought by community participants who witness the Sharing of Stories in the morning.

After feeding the body with Traditional Tastings, in the afternoon, a Community Sharing Circle will hold a safe and healing space for conversations about "educating for transformation and reconciliation of Institutions and Systems" within our community.