Gently Whispering the Circle Back – Residential School Symposiums

In 2012, IRM Research and Evaluation Inc. partner with University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills to host three symposiums sharing the personal stories of survivors of Residential Schools and their descendants.

At the time, many people were either unaware of this Canadian history or had an incomplete picture of the history of colonization Residential Schools. These symposiums were filmed and the stories of stories, and their descants, in addition to those of allies exploring this history and woundedness, were gathered to create a film that shows, in a respectful way, the impact of Residential Schools and ways forward in collective healing.

The film is accompanied by a facilitator’s guide that is based on Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart’s Four Phases of Recovery. This guide allows for safe and structured opportunities for understanding the impact of Residential Schools past and present while exploring ways to create healing and restore relationships among and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.