Indigenous youth in London, Ont., reflect on what truth and reconciliation means to them

Indigenous youth in London, Ont., say the word truth holds a double meaning for them as it evokes memories of intergenerational trauma caused by colonial systems, but also highlights the resilience of First Nations communities.

"Truth means acknowledging both sides of Indigenous history," said Claudia Zavitz from the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, and a third-year Indigenous studies student at Western University.  

"There's the colonial one that has been perpetuated through education institutes, as well as the genuine Indigenous history that recognizes traumatic parts of it, but also the resilience and beauty that has paired with it."

Zavitz was among a group of students from Western's Indigenous Students' Association who participated in a water walk along the trails of Deshkan Ziibi — commonly known as the Thames River — starting from Elgin Hall to the Richmond Street bridge on Thursday. 

It followed a traditional water ceremony, which included smudging, a prayer and drinking of water that has been blessed. Students walked in silence as they sent prayers along the river.

"We sent prayers with the water and then we carried it along the trail that we walked along, which is honouring the water," said Zavitz, 20.

"And then we walked back and poured the water that was in the pale into the river, which would then cycle throughout the world over time and make the water full again."

For Alicia Kewageshig, 20, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an opportunity to confront the traumatic impacts of residential schools, but to also acknowledge the beauty of reconnecting with her culture and speaking her native language. 

"This time can be really hard for young Indigenous peoples because there is so much trauma that gets brought up and its hard to hear about your parents or grandparents going through things like residential schools and Indian Day schools," said Kewageshig from Stoney Point First Nation and Saugeen First Nation.

Kewageshig said it's been helpful to have support resources available to Indigenous students at Western such as the Indigenous Student Centre, the office of Indigenous Initiatives and the student association of which she and Zavitz are members.

Kewageshig hopes the path for future Indigenous youth to reconnect with their cultural roots becomes clearer, she said. 

"It's been really hard for a lot of people to connect with their culture — I know that first hand," she said. "I have a lot of family who aren't necessarily as culturally involved as I am so what I would like to see for the future is a lot of Indigenous youth become more reconnected to their culture."

Zavitz wants youth to think about the next seven generations whenever they're making big decisions that have a lasting impact on their lives. 

"It's very important that you're not doing something that's just at your convenience in the moment but acknowledging that the decision has lasting effects and will affect generations to come and your ultimate goal should be wanting to benefit those people."