Some time was spent early in the day preparing for their journeys next week to High River, AB and Saskatoon. After that, some students headed to Beardys/Okemasis First Nation to attend an Indian Residential Schools (IRS) conference. The students who stayed back at RJC listened to a presentation from the Saskatoon Health Region about the 'Poverty Costs' campaign, and worked through the documentary 'Paycheque to Paycheque' which highlights poverty in North America. They also spent some time completing some academic work.
The students at Beardys heard about the impact of Indian Residential Schools and the multi-generational effects from two speakers, Barb Badger and Cindy Deschenes.
Barb's impactful story of heartache and addictions stemmed "from growing up in a home of abuse." This is the legacy of the IRS. Barb eventually found healing in the Creator and is now sober. "Don't be afraid to ask for help," Barb told the students. This message would be repeated later by Theoren Fleury.
Cindy Deschenes, an Algonquin from Quebec, lead the students in a series of workshop activities to demonstrate the multi-generational effects of IRS. The crowd appreciated her interactive approach to teaching and learning.
On a lighter note, Kelsey E. won the $50 cineplex Odeon door prize and Alejandra won a $20 door prize! After the presentation we had soup and bannock! YUM!
Next on the agenda was a short trip to the Constable Robin Cameron High School gymnasium to hear the keynote speaker Theoren Fleury, former Stanley Cup champion with the Calgary Flames. After a ceremonial entrance and some official welcomes Fleury took the microphone.
Fleury's family roots are originally in Duck Lake, and his great uncle Patrice fought alongside Gabriel Dumont in the Northwest Resistance of 1885! Fleury shared about his childhood in a home of dysfunction, and about how hockey was his refuge. He was never abused at home, but his parents were addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs. As a bantam player he was drafted into the WHL and had to move to Winnipeg at the age of 16. It was there that he was "raped over 150 times" by his coach and confidant. This lead him to a life of addictions and poor choices to cover the pain, guilt, and shame from that abuse. "The alcohol and drugs were like medicine to me," said Fleury. Until then he had never touched drugs or alcohol because he saw the pain it caused his parents.
His career had many highlights (World Junior Champion, Stanley Cup, Gold Medal, etc.), but nothing could dull his inner pain, the abuse which he kept secret. His abusive lifestyle eventually lead to him being dismissed from the NHL. A suicide attempt followed shortly after, but he decided to give life one more chance. He prayed and in the morning he quit cold turkey, and has not had drugs or alcohol since. That was 2005. He has had to face the truth of his past and he wrote a book "Playing With Fire" where he tells his story. He now sees his purpose to travel, speak, and encourage people. "It wasn't until I asked for help that my life changed for the better, " said Fleury. Since his book, over 500,000 people have confided their story of abuse to Fleury. He has traveled to 82 First Nations, and has become a role model for many people, especially Residential School survivors.
It was an honour to be at this conference and to hear Fleury speak. It's not a message that our students will soon forget.
