We have to continue with the process and we have to ensure that we let the Federal Government know that it is their responsibility and it has to be held accountable, including all the churches, the Anglican, the Roman Catholic and the Baptist Church. That the Federal Government and the Anglican Church, the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist Chruch inclusively provide funding for other conferences such as this and to invite all those other community members.
Dorothy Wynne, Mocreebec

My thoughts are that we have several workshops during the year and even have another regional conference such as this and I suggest that the other communities do the same in their community and that would get back together in a year or a year and a half from now to see where we’re at, to share our ideas and help each other in our healing.

I don’t want my children, my grandchildren to be sitting around this table discussing the same pain, the same wounds as we are now. I want them to be living in a healthy way. I want this cycle to end, and I think we, at this table, can start this process, ending this cycle of abuse and violence in our communities.
Susan Esau, Waskaganish

To have these circles, there has to be an understanding that everybody in that circle is equal. And what is shared in that circle is sacred. I think once we’ve started having these circles, then people will be ready to come forward and share their pain.
Allan Sailors, Moose Factory

One of the recommendations I would like to make is that every effort be made for the Cree language to be preserved. That was one of the main things I feel we lost in residential school.
Mary Bear, Waskaganish

As part of our healing, we need to get back many things that we have lost in the past. Those are the photographs, we need to search and find those people that have those photographs of people when they were in residential school. Anthropologists and our people are trying to get back a lot of these from museums – bones, artifacts, they call them artifacts, I shouldn’t call them artifacts – things like bundles, different art, clothing that our people wore. I think we need to repatriate those things that come from that era. The residential school era. And each community should compile their own documentation. I think this is every important and valuable.
Robert Weistche, Waskaganish

The one thing that sustained us while we were in the bush, was that, to me, it was neutral ground. In the bush there is happiness there. That is where our people trapped, and our culture is there. That would be one of my recommendations, is that the next gathering be in a setting like that.

That elders be a part of the gathering. These elders provide a sense of security. I think that the bush is the best place for meetings because people seem to be able to talk better. It makes dialogue and conversation flow better. You have a better sense of being.
Gertie Murdoch, Waskaganish

Whatever we’ve learned from this gathering, whatever you have learned from being here, whatever you’ve shared or gained, the knowledge and strength – Go with that.
Take it with you and help others to find themselves in their healing journey.
Susan Esau, Waskaganish