Building a cross-cultural understanding of truth, reconciliation and decolonization
- Marjorie D.L. Roden | June 16, 2023
Sixteen youth at the Prince Albert Multicultural Centre (PAMC) got a crash course in Canada’s historical colonization – in order to begin their decolonization process.
“The all-day workshop was facilitated between the Multicultural Association of Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Prince Albert Multicultural Council,” said Michelle Hassler, Executive Director and Program Manager of the PAMC.
In the evening, the youth taught a group of roughly 50 people from across the community using the knowledge they gained earlier in the day.
“The evening event was open to all in the community ... it was led by the youth participants who were trained in the afternoon.” Hassler added.
“We had newcomers, mainstream Canadians, and the First Nations peoples,” said Jonah Awowo from the PAMC.
Christina Waditaka was one of the youth taking part in the workshop. As a descendent of residential school survivors, she was in a unique position to transfer the knowledge of the hidden history of Canada.
“It was very interesting,” Waditaka recalled, adding “I felt a little sad because both of my parents were in the Residential School ... I just wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to do it because they talk about everything that went on with the Europeans.”
The experience brought up deep reflection on her life, her parents and how they would have been treated as students. Her mom and dad were able to leave school, which she attributes to the reason why she is here today.
PAMC Youth Coordinator Komal Saxena had many revelations during the course of the program.
“When the buffalo were shot, their food resources were finished. I mean, who does that?” she asked. “I could just imagine what people would have gone through at that time, and it would have made a terrible situation worse.”
Even with the evening activity, not all of the injustices the First Nations people had to live through during early colonial days could possibly be covered.
For Waditaka there were positive aspects of the event such as meeting people from different cultures.
“I don’t know what their ancestors went through either, so when we came together, we got to know each other’s backgrounds. It’s something that brought a lot of awareness, not just for Prince Albert, but other communities as well. It feels nice being able to invite people from other regions and cultures. We all bleed in the same colour.”