The conference included an array of programming over the last three days. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

trauma

Residential school conference wraps up at JRMCC

Mar 20, 2025 | 4:55 PM

Three days of support has wrapped up at the Indian Residential School Healing Conference held this week at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre.

The event, which is held twice per year, included teachings from Elders, a wellness clinic, massage and art therapy, rattle making, hands on healing, traditional medicine and haircuts. Lunch and snacks were also provided throughout the day.

Approximately 200 people from La Ronge and surrounding communities attended and there were a number of speakers such as Jonas Bird, Abel Charles and Sam Hardlotte. In addition, entertainment was provided by Jude and Fran Ratt.

“It’s awareness to try and get people [through] the trauma and abuse and all of that they endured during their residential school days,” coordinator Eldon Bird explained.

“There’s a lot more people opening up and getting it out. A lot of people are holding it in. Now that they are able to express themselves, that’s the healing part. A lot of people are holding in all the trauma and abuse that happened to them, they held it for so long it is making them sick. If your mind is sick, your body gets sick too.”

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Bird noted the conference was open to not just residential school survivors, but the children of survivors as well. During the three days, students from Senator Myles Venne School attended, as well as clients and staff from the Woodland Wellness Centre.

The legacy of residential schools has left a deep scar on those who attended. Bird added the schools had a goal of assimilation and they attempted to erase the identities of students. He said that has led to cycles of abuse, drugs and alcohol.

“It’s a scar to their heart because they took away everything in the residential schools,” Bird remarked.

“They took away their culture, took away their identity, and it took them away from their family, which is the worst one. They were assimilating us in the British and European culture. The churches were involved in most of it.”

The Indian Residential School Healing Conference was hosted by Lac La Ronge Indian Band Health Services Indian Residential School and Culture Program.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com