Val D’or Adult Ed Centre CLC Project of Heart

Val D’or  Adult Ed Centre CLC

Western Quebec School Board

With older teens and adults, a majority from Algonquin and Cree communities, this PoH became something like an informal healing circle. The CLC Coordinator ran PoH as a lunch time discussion activity. However, word quickly spread that IRS was being discussed, and shortly she was inundated with calls from family and friends who wanted to speak about their experiences. Calls were referred to a TRC support line and an Aboriginal Educator came in to lead some important discussions.

The story came to light that one of the Val D’or students was actually an IRS survivor herself, and this finally gave her the chance to start speaking out. She drafted a beautiful poem and was invited to read it on the main stage at the TRC as a highlight of the Education Day.

“We could feel heavy emotions amongst our students as they themselves started researching different schools, some recognised the names of schools which their parents had attended, and they started to be more aware of the horrors their family members had been through.

Having [the educator] come to the school was important. He was able to share his experience with our students and also let them speak their minds openly about today’s reality that has a direct link with over a hundred years of Residential schools.

Throughout all the discussions, students were encouraged to make tiles where many poured their thoughts and emotions onto. The result was amazing! We then invited Melvin Moar, a local tamarack wood artist to come in and make pieces of art with the students. 2 beautiful dream catchers were made to commemorate children who had died in residential schools.  

I believe Project of Heart was a very good initiative for our students. They came out stronger and with better knowledge of their past.”

To see more about this project… Click Here.