The Spirit Song Festival kicked off on Saturday afternoon at the Native Friendship Centre (SJNFC) in St. John’s.
“We open ourselves up to the public all year long,” said Amelia Reimer, cultural support at the SJNFC. “But this is a different way to come together, with people from all over the province.”
Saturday afternoon consisted of a collaborative art piece, reconciliation-talking circle and a music jam.
Participants painted pieces of an inuksuk that was assembled and presented during Sunday’s event at the Techniplex Centre in St. John’s.
In a traditional talking circle, what is said in the circle stays in the circle, said Reimer, but she shared her personal thoughts on reconciliation with The Telegram.
She says that many agreed that there is a common question asked when discussing reconciliation.
“People say ‘When are you going to get over this? Isn’t it old news?’“ she said. “Nobody says that when we come up on an anniversary of 9-11.”
Many of the discussions stemmed from the Truth and Reconciliation Comission (TRC) Report— held by those affected by Indian residential schools.
“Reconciliation is a journey of healing,” said Reimer. “Elders all across the country say that before you reconcile you must know the truth. There are still so many truths that have not yet been heard in this country.”
