Survivors, first-time visitors drawn to former Mohawk Institute on inaugural day for truth and reconciliation

WARNING: This story contains distressing details.

Geronimo Henry stood near the steps of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., on the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

He went to the school in 1942 when he was six-years-old and stayed there for 11 years.

"I'm really happy they finally recognized this truth and reconciliation day," said Henry, who is from the Cayuga nation and a member of the Bear Clan.

"We're here today to honour all the survivors that went to the residential school ... we were only kids."

Henry was joined by others who visited the former residential school, now called the Woodland Cultural Centre, which serves as a museum and provides education about the institute's history.

People arrived, most in orange shirts, standing in front of the dozens of shoes, flowers, toys and messages left to honour victims of residential schools.

The day came several months after Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation in B.C. said a survey of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds indicated the remains of an estimated 200 children could be buried there.

The site of the former Mohawk Institute is now set to be searched for unmarked graves as early as October.

"I'm mostly here to talk for the ones in the unmarked graves. They can't talk for themselves," Henry said, later speaking with settlers and non-Indigenous people about the history of residential schools and his own experience.

Wendy Condo drove from Lindsay, Ont., to see the former residential school for the first time. Her parents and all of their siblings are all residential school survivors.

"I'm feeling a lot of things right now. My stomach feels weird ... it's overwhelming," she said.

"I just can't imagine what they were feeling to come here at what, five years old?"

Grade 6, 7 and 8 students from Bellview Public School, with the Grand Erie District School Board, showed up on Thursday as well, the visit was part of a series of assignments focused on truth and reconciliation.

Teacher Shelley McNally said many students didn't know the Woodland Cultural Centre was the site of a former residential school and didn't know about the horrific treatment students once received there.

"We brought them down here to reflect on what they've been feeling and learning this week ... it's really eye-opening for some kids," she said.

"We're trying to instill in our intermediate grades to be leaders in our community ... issues like this and the dark past of Canada's history are something they need to be more aware of."

Janis Monture, the executive director of the Woodland Cultural Centre, said people have been visiting all week.

"I think it's important for people to take the time, especially on days like today, but more so every day," she said.

"We can't erase the past, we have to honour it and remember it, but also look forward toward the future."

She said she hopes people take the time to understand the history of Indigenous people and advocate in their own community.

"I look at this former residential school. It was in operation for 142 years … it's going to take 142 years for us to get out of it. We need to take the time to make these relationships but there are steps we can start to do today."

Support is available for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools and those who are triggered by these reports.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for residential school survivors and others affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.