In September, Stoughton School & Ocean Man Education Complex Grade 10 students travelled to Winnipeg to take part in the “Mino-Pimatisiwin – The Good Life” Youth Empowerment Gathering.
During their trip, the students had the honour of carrying the Memory Cloth at the “Mino-Pimatisiwin – The Good Life” Youth Empowerment Gathering. The Memory Cloth lists the names of children who lost their lives in residential schools across Canada. The Memory Cloth is approximately 50 meters long and holds the names of over 4,100 children. The gathering gave students an opportunity to listen to several elders and residential school survivors share their stories in a truly impactful experience for students.
Before the “Mino-Pimatisiwin – The Good Life” Youth Empowerment Gathering, student met the Honourable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba. Students had the opportunity to shake hands, take pictures, and talk with Kinew before he went on stage to address the crowd. Students also had the opportunity to hear from various Indigenous artist including Canada’s Got Talent winner, Rebecca Strong, Inuit Drummers, Throat Singers, and actress Katarina Ziervogel.
Students wrapped up their trip to Winnipeg with a visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and participated in a program called “Rights and Indigenous Peoples of Canada”. The program included, The History of Residential Schools, Treaty Rights, Treaty Rights Denied, The Indian Act, Missing and Murdered, and The Witness Blanket. Students ended their day by adding their own messages to the “Join the Conversation” wall.
For anyone wishing to view the “Mino-Pimatisiwin – The Good Life” Youth Empowerment Gathering, a recording can be found at: NCTR Mino Pitatisiwin