Nunavut launches residential school sensitivity workshops for gov't staff

The Government of Nunavut says it's following through on a recommendation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to teach government staff about the effects residential schools had on Inuit people.

The Department of Education held its first workshop on the topic last week, which involved people who had experienced the system first-hand.

"They have to know what we went through as survivors of residential schools," said Peter Irniq, a residential school survivor and former Nunavut commissioner. "Telling your pain is healing and this is what it's all about, the healing of people."

The workshop was designed to help inform top-level bureaucrats, including all deputy and assistant deputy ministers.

"The residential school survivors are the parents and now the grandparents of our children and if one doesn't heal then that effect carries on. It's like a ripple effect," said Education Minister Paul Quassa.

"They are the best people to tell us"

Quassa said it was important to have survivors like Irniq address attendees in person.  

"Inuit custom is such that you don't just read about things, you got to see it," he said.

"People are going to be there looking at that person who was actually there. They are the best people to tell us and to make us understand what took place and how do we avoid that."

Workshops for teachers, principals next 

The Department of Education says it plans to hold more workshops in the new school year for teachers, principals and policymakers.