North Island Gazette, February 26, 2015

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Gazette NORTH ISLAND

Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275

49th Year No. 9

February 26, 2015

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Sointula contingent raises concerns at Open House. Page 3

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North Island Film Commissioner makes presentation. Page 5

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Port Hardy Minor Hockey hosts AGM, awards event. Page 11 lEttErS Page 3 opiNioN Page 4 SportS Page 10-12 claSSifiEdS Page 13-15

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Ceremony offers opportunity for closure

By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor With shouts of “Close that door!” piercing the air, a bulldozer ripped through the entryway of St. Michael’s Indian Residential School bringing a symbolic end to a dark period in Canadian history. The destruction, followed by the opportunity to release pain and anger by throwing stones and pieces of brick through the glass windows of the school, was part of an I’tustolagalis – Rising up, Together pre-demolition ceremony held at Alert Bay Wednesday, Feb. 18. St. Michael’s school, which opened in 1929, held aboriginal children from northern Vancouver Island, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, the Nisga’a territories and Haida Gwaii. It closed in 1975. “St. Michael’s is a symbol and stark reminder of a dark chapter in our history,” said John Rustad, B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, in a release. “More than 150,000 Aboriginal children in Canada were removed from their homes and placed in government-funded, church-run schools like St. Michael’s. We recognize the deep scars inflicted on children who attended these schools. And we acknowledge and honour the courage of survivors, their families and all those who suffered. As we look to the future, we share a great hope and optimism for healing and reconciliation,” said Rustad. The ceremony included drumming, prayers and the lighting of candles as well as a moment of silence for children who never returned from the school. The day was filled with pain and many tears, but also hope for the future. “We want to turn our own page. We are the only ones who can turn our own page,” said Alex Nelson. “It is my great honour to stand here today, to welcome you to the ancestral lands of the ‘Namgis people, to celebrate our resilience and to support one another on our healing journeys,” said ‘Namgis Chief Debra Hanuse. “It’s a real honour to be a survivor’s voice today,” to speak “for all the little children from across this land who had to come to schools like this,” said Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Reconciliation Canada ambassador.

Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor photo

See page 2 a bulldozer tears down the front door of St. Michael’s residential School dur‘A blight ...’ ing an emotional ceremony feb. 18.

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