Tri-Cities marks Reconciliation Day with storytelling, artmaking, reflection

For generations, the stories were often marginalized and the storytellers sometimes silenced.

But bit by bit, Kung Jaadee is breathing new life into old stories.

Port Coquitlam is inviting residents to listen to Jaadee tell Haida and Squamish stories on Saturday afternoon in the Michael Wright Art Gallery.

Jaadee, whose Haida name means ‘Moon Woman,’ has been telling stories across Canada for decades.

“This biggest thing for me is to remind everyone that we’re human beings, because I have been mistreated in the past,” she told the Dispatch earlier this year.

Born and raised in Haida Gwaii, she battled racism for years. She recently told the Dispatch about years spent believing the lies she was told about Indigenous people and about the way bullying stopped her from speaking.

But in the early 1990s, around the time her oldest son started kindergarten, Jaadee started talking about her life and culture. She’s been speaking to audiences across Canada ever since.

“I wish I kept tabs of how many audiences I performed for, it’s been a lot and I love it. It feels like the stories chose me,” Jaadee said. 

The Michael Wright Art Gallery event is free of charge. RSVP to arts@portcoquitlam.ca. to attend.

Coquitlam is inviting residents to join in a day of reflection at Glen Pine Pavilion on Monday.

The event, which begins at 11 a.m., is set to include story reading for children five years and older as well as a screening of WaaPaKe (Tomorrow), which is recommended for mature audiences.

Directed by Jules Arita Koostachin, a Cree Filmmaker based in Vancouver, the documentary features stories from the children of residential school survivors. The film examines intergenerational trauma as well as the importance of breaking that cycle.

“WaaPaKe means tomorrow. So tomorrow means hope, it means that we have a future,” Koostachin explains in the documentary.

Coquitlam is displaying the Survivors’ Flag on 3000 Guildford Way to honour everyone impacted by Canada’s residential school system.

Port Moody City Hall will be lit up orange on Monday, symbolizing both the city’s commitment to reconciliation and remembrance of Indigenous children forced into residential schools.

“Canada’s Residential School System separated more than 150,000 Indigenous children from their families and communities, and it’s important that we learn, acknowledge, and remember,” stated Port Moody Mayor Meghan Lahti in a release from the city. 

Lahti emphasized the importance of acknowledging the ongoing effects of the residential school system on individuals, families and communities.

Artist Christine Mackenzie is scheduled to talk about her experience as an Indigenous woman and about spreading kindness through artmaking on Monday at Place des Arts.

Participants can learn to make a small, mixed-media artwork to take home. More info here.

Evergreen Cultural Centre is set to host workshop about art and about playing a role in reconciliation.

Artist Jordanna George is slated to lead an illustration workshop that asks participants to create an artwork about ways to take action.

Noons Creek Hatchery is slated to host a Truth and Reconciliation event on Monday beginning at 11 a.m.