In light of the disturbing discovery of 215 children’s remains were found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, we have selected stories to help us introduce the topic of residential schools to young children.

All are welcome to join for these stories and conversation.Stories we will share:

Shi-shi-etko:

In just four days young Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school.She spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world — the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather’s paddle song. Her mother, father and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. And so Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.

When We Were Alone:

When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully coloured clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history, and, ultimately, one of empowerment and strength.

Your hosts are members of the Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, the New Canadians Centre, Community Living CKL and Compass Early Learning & Care. Every other Tuesday at noon we invite you to sit down with your child for lunch and a story! You can join in the conversation via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84562051231Or you can watch on Facebook Live right on the Stories of Hope, Healing & Belonging page.