During a recent talk in Humboldt, Arcand covered both his experience and the Truth and Reconciliation Committees calls to action (Screenshot/Carlton Trail College)

By Rachel May

Residential School Survivor

Residential school survivor opens up about his experience

Sep 28, 2021 | 5:00 PM

With National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coming up on Sept. 30, residental school survivor, Eugene Arcand, recently shared his story and information about the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s calls to action in Humboldt.

The City of Humboldt, Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation, and Carlton Trail College hosted an event on Sept. 28 at Jubilee Hall where Arcand took to the stage to talk about his past.

“I’m here to take you on a rollercoaster ride, into your heart and emotions.” Arcand said.

A member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Arcand had spent 10 years at the St. Michael Indian Residential School in Duck Lake and one year at the Lebret Student Residence.

Arcand spoke about where the blame falls when it comes to residential schools.

Fire calls

Kinistino, Melfort fire departments respond to collision, fires

51m ago

Numerous charges

RCMP seize cocaine and weapons after vehicle flees

17h ago

in-custody care

Prince Albert Police Service, Sask. Marshals partner to implement biometric monitoring in cells

18h ago

“I am not blaming any of you. I am blaming the system it comes out of,” Arcand said. “I am telling people with generational family secrets to let them out.You don’t need that baggage, most people are good. I am not here to hurt anyone, I am here to clarify and make people think.”

The day the 215 unmarked graves were found near Kamloops British Columbia was the day that Arcand felt like he was back at the residential school.

“I was a mess,” Arcand said. “First there was a feeling of shock, I felt the sadness and then I felt the anger. Once again I was taken back to that day.”

Arcand also spoke about the Truth and Reconciliation commission (TRC) calls to action.

“I am coming to you to tell you that we have a different way of looking at the world and it’s compatable with contemporary learning.” Arcand told those in attendance. “These are not recommendations, these calls to action are not optional.”

Arcand has a passion for helping the First Nations community. He has served as elected Vice-Chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

Additionally Arcand is an advisor to the Truth and Reconciliation commission (TRC) Indian Residential School Survivor committee.

When asked what advice Arcand had to give to the young people struggling with their Indigenous identity, he told those in attendance that learning to channel the fire inside your heart is the most important.

“Go light a fire, get your mom and dad or caregiver. You light the fire and for your children do the same thing. Pray over the fire, pray with the fire because it’s your fire. There is fire in each one of us.” Arcand said.

For Indigenous people who are struggling with mental health, they can contact with the Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research for more information on where to seek help near you.

–

Rachel.May@Pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM