Students from around Chinook School Division learned a dark chapter of Canadian history yesterday at Great Plains College.

The history of residential schools was presented by Elder Noel Starblanket, a Residential School Survivor from Star Blanket Cree First Nation, as well as Dr. Brian Gobbett from Great Plains College. The event 'Truth and Reconciliation: Let's Walk the Talk', came on Truth and Reconciliation Day, as declared by the Southwest Multicultural Association at City Council on Monday night.

Among the morning's events were a smudging ceremony and drum performances by the Starblanket Jr's from the Star Blanket Cree First Nation.

Bula Ghosh, President of the SMA, explains the need for the event arose once they learned only 30% of people knew about residential schools.

"That's what triggered us to do something in our community that is going to affect people's lives, and they can't just say 'we haven't heard of it'. So once you hear about the schools, you know we all have a duty to act on this," she said.

Ghosh says with events such as this one, she wants to emphasize that reconciliation is, in fact, everybody's business.

"I've come here as a newcomer in 1981 when residential schools were in operation. I could say 'I wasn't involved, it's not my problem', but no it's everyone's problem. We all have to be able to do something. We can't have a section of the people fall behind while the rest of the population enjoys a very high standard of living - it's not right," she said.

Ghosh and the association planned for approximately 200 supporters to come out, but that number appeared to have nearly doubled.

After the speech by Elder Noel Starblanket, a circle dance was performed as part of the reconciliation for those present in the Great Plains College gym. Once the dance commenced, all participants exited the gymnasium and marched to Market Square with orange 'Truth and Reconciliation Day' scarves draped around their neck. To wrap up the event, a flag raising and drum ceremony were performed at Market Square along with a Cree rendition of the Canadian anthem.

Swift Current's Mayor, Denis Perrault, was also on hand for the day's events and gave multiple speeches thanking Bula Ghosh, Noel, Starblanket, and Dr. Gobbett for their efforts to educate individuals on an important event in Canadian history.

Ghosh, as well as Noel Starblanket, Dr. Brian Gobbett, and Mayor Perrault all encouraged individuals to take action and read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The calls to action were transcribed in order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.

As for next year, Ghosh says she looks to continue the trend of educating everyone who may not have known about the horrors of residential schools with a similar event as yesterday.