October 2007 A Section of Anglican Journal
Moving Beyond One Nation's response to the residential school experience by Barbara-Lynn Dixon GORDON FIRST NATION (QuA) The day in late August was windy with small clusters of dark clouds along the horizon that contrasted with the very blue sky above. An ancient gathering ritual was taking place: the Ride from Four Directions. Drummers held the beat for the songs offered in prayer while the elders prayed for healing and reconciliation, for grandfather buffalo and for the horse spirit. Then slowly as if brought forth by the prayers four horsemen riding appaloosa, roan, bay or pinto began arriving from each direction. First from the west, then south, north and finally east, the sixteen horses stood on the same barren earth that once held the residential school. Beside them the stone cairn, holding the cross and bell from the old school building, stands like a tombstone, as a silent witness to the past. Like the horsemen, the children of the residential school also came from the four directions. One nation's response to the residential school experience is the three-day gathering conference, Moving Beyond. This year's fourth annual conference drew 200 people which included many young people. The conference was initiated by Gordon's Residential School Recovery and Wellness Centre with the Reverend Dale Gillman, Anglican cleric, as director. She said the Wellness Centre has been in operation for seven years and has proved to be a vital element in the journey to healing Moving Beyond is an event that responds to the "impact of the residential school on all of us. . . We need to move forward from where we are today, walking with the broken and wounded, to move beyond. . . Like thunder, there is the clap which moves away but it leaves a mark," she said. Chief Bryan McNabb, Ivan McNabb and Glenn Pratt spoke at the opening session saying that the residential school experience has caused the loss of our culture, language and tradition and how unity is essential to the restoration of the community. The following two days were filled with discussions lead by Barb Dewalt, Kim Tootoosis, Arsene Tootoosis, Don Tatton, Dana Soonias, and Colby Tootoosis on topics involving healing and moving forward. The Reserve was formed when the Cree and Ojibway band under George Gordon signed Treaty 4 in 1874. The Church of England located a mission here in 1886 and a school was opened which the Anglican church operated into the 1970s. The federal government took it over from the Anglicans in 1969. The last residential school building was torn down shortly after it closed in l996.
photo Barbara-Lynn Dixon
The Grey Buffalo Singers also drummers with the cairn, tipis, and children The Federal Government along with the churches that ran the residential schools have established the Common Experience Payment and the Individual Assessment Process programs for former students. The Common Experience provides students compensation of $10,000 for the first year of attendance in residential schools and $3,000 for each additional year. Payments will arrive within the next several months. In addition students who have suffered sexual, physical and psychological abuse may follow the Individual Assessment Process to claim compensation. Despite their troubles the people of Gordon's have not only endured but are moving beyond by keeping their songs and rituals and their prayers alive. As custodians of their ancient culture they are regaining the lost symbols of the tipis, drums, elders and children that will make them whole again.
photo Barbara-Lynn Dixon
Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson was an invited member for the three-day conference.
photo Barbara-Lynn Dixon l to r the Reverends Arthur Anderson and Dale Gillman
Autumn Leaves by Ivan Millard Softly falling leaves of autumn Calling out as loud as drums Tell us summer has hit bottom When autumn leaves, winter comes.
photo Barbara-Lynn Dixon Members of the Ride from Four Directions