Regina woman walking to Kamloops to honour residential school victims, survivors
"All those horrifying stories that you can't even imagine, are true, and (we think about) how they survived that and how strong they are to survive that, but how broken and lost we are."
Author of the article:Jennifer Ackerman
Publishing date:Jun 24, 2021 • 4 hours ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
Richelle Dubois and her 18-year-old son James are walking from Regina to Kamloops as a way to honour and heal from the recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School near the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. Photo by Richelle Dubois.
As Richelle Dubois and her 18-year-old son James make their way on foot from the Regina Indian Industrial School, on the city’s outskirts, all the way to Kamloops B.C., they talk, cry and reflect on the legacy and trauma of residential schools.
“We think about the children. We think about how it affected us. How it still effects us. What our grandparents went through,” said Dubois from the side of the Trans-Canada just outside of Moose Jaw on Thursday afternoon. “All those horrifying stories that you can’t even imagine, are true, and (we think about) how they survived that and how strong they are to survive that, but how broken and lost we are.”
The pair are walking from Regina to Kamloops as a way to honour and heal from the recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School near the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
But on Wednesday, they had to add the discovery of 751 more unmarked graves at the Marieval Residential School on Saskatchewan’s Cowessess First Nation to their healing journey.
“It’s heartbreaking — shocking and heartbreaking and unbelievable, but real. This is our reality,” said Dubois, whose father attended the residential school on Cowessess.
“Other people are just now noticing and seeing what we’ve always known our whole lives. I’m glad to see that people are seeing the genocide in Canada, the genocide that we see on a day-to-day basis.”
As Richelle Dubois and her 18-year-old son James make their way on foot from the Regina Indian Industrial School, on the city’s outskirts, all the way to Kamloops B.C., they talk, cry and reflect on the legacy and trauma of residential schools.
“We think about the children. We think about how it affected us. How it still effects us. What our grandparents went through,” said Dubois from the side of the Trans-Canada just outside of Moose Jaw on Thursday afternoon. “All those horrifying stories that you can’t even imagine, are true, and (we think about) how they survived that and how strong they are to survive that, but how broken and lost we are.”
The pair are walking from Regina to Kamloops as a way to honour and heal from the recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School near the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.
But on Wednesday, they had to add the discovery of 751 more unmarked graves at the Marieval Residential School on Saskatchewan’s Cowessess First Nation to their healing journey.
“It’s heartbreaking — shocking and heartbreaking and unbelievable, but real. This is our reality,” said Dubois, whose father attended the residential school on Cowessess.
“Other people are just now noticing and seeing what we’ve always known our whole lives. I’m glad to see that people are seeing the genocide in Canada, the genocide that we see on a day-to-day basis.”
Richelle Dubois of Pasqua First Nation stands for a portrait at the Justice for Our Stolen Children camp across from the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Sept. 12, 2018
Dubois’ son Haven was 14 years old when he died on May 20, 2015. His body was found in an east Regina ravine. Although Regina police have said they have no evidence of foul play, Dubois believes her son was murdered and that police didn’t properly investigate his death — one of many broken systems in a colonial world, she said.
“We still face that genocide through foster care systems, through incarceration, through missing and murdered aboriginal men and women, a lack of investigation, no accountability, the health care system, the education system,” she said. “There’s so much wrong and it stems from residential schools.”
The pair began their journey on June 22 and are detailing their walk on social media with photos and updates. They do not have an end date in mind, focusing on the journey of healing instead of the destination.
“Knowing what it’s like to lose your children, it’s not something that anybody should have to face,” said Dubois through tears. “I walk for our children, all of our children.”
Dubois’ son Haven was 14 years old when he died on May 20, 2015. His body was found in an east Regina ravine. Although Regina police have said they have no evidence of foul play, Dubois believes her son was murdered and that police didn’t properly investigate his death — one of many broken systems in a colonial world, she said.
“We still face that genocide through foster care systems, through incarceration, through missing and murdered aboriginal men and women, a lack of investigation, no accountability, the health care system, the education system,” she said. “There’s so much wrong and it stems from residential schools.”
The pair began their journey on June 22 and are detailing their walk on social media with photos and updates. They do not have an end date in mind, focusing on the journey of healing instead of the destination.
“Knowing what it’s like to lose your children, it’s not something that anybody should have to face,” said Dubois through tears. “I walk for our children, all of our children.”
Richelle Dubois and her 18-year-old son James are walking from Regina to Kamloops as a way to honour and heal from the recent discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School near the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. Photo by Richelle Dubois.
Various items along the fence line of the Regina Indian Industrial School (RIIS) cemetery on Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Regina. PHOTO BY TROY FLEECE /Regina Leader-Post
In a social media post, the FSIN provided phone numbers for those grappling with emotional distress as a result of the discoveries. Those in need of support can call the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066, toll free, or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
In a social media post, the FSIN provided phone numbers for those grappling with emotional distress as a result of the discoveries. Those in need of support can call the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066, toll free, or the 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
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