Port Alberni Residential School Survivors Raise Flag of Reconciliation in Rainy Ceremony
Amidst pouring rain on September 25, Wally Samuel, Tom Watts, and Geraldine Edgar-Tom, survivors of residential schools, held a poignant flag raising ceremony outside Port Alberni City Hall. The trio raised a bright orange flag of reconciliation to half-mast as part of a series of similar ceremonies taking place throughout the week leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
Expressing his pride in being part of this momentous occasion, Samuel stated, I’m proud that people are listening and believing us and willing to work together for the future of our community and our people.
Brandi Lauder, elected chief councilor of Hupačasath First Nation, reflected on the devastating impact of residential schools on her nation. She shared the heartbreaking story of a member of their community who passed away while attending the Alberni Indian Residential School (AIRS), which was located on the main reserve of their neighboring First Nation, Tseshaht. Lauder further revealed that the investigation carried out by the Tseshaht community in phase one uncovered that at least 67 children had died at the school, challenging the previously documented number of 29 deaths in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Register.
This will be a day for national truth about the past and not hiding it anymore, and reconciliation between all of us that were and are still a part of it, expressed Todd Patola, a city councillor of Port Alberni, addressing the crowd. He emphasized that the day was an opportunity to honor those who did not come back from the schools as well as survivors and their families.
Throughout the week, schools in School District 70, which encompasses Port Alberni, Bamfield, Tofino, and Ucluelet, will also raise orange flags to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Watts remarked on the positive change he has witnessed, stating, I keep telling people the world is changing because this wouldn’t have happened 20 years ago.
On September 30, Port Alberni plans to immerse itself in orange, starting at the Barclay Hotel where survivors’ artwork will be displayed before a walk to Maht Maht’s, the former site of AIRS. This event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the school’s closure.
It isn’t just governments, it isn’t just school districts, it’s actually the citizens in our communities that have a responsibility as well, not just to educate themselves about what happened but to change their attitudes moving forward, Watts emphasized.
