Healing journey for survivors

The road to healing can be a long one, but it can be an enjoyable one.

No one knows that better than James Desjarlais.

“One of the things that I believe in is that if you are really serious about starting your own personal healing journey, then one of the first things you should try to do is connect with Mother Earth,” he said. “That’s how my own personal journey started, by just being out in nature.”

Desjarlais and Deborah Francis are resolution health support workers at the Newo Yotina Friendship Centre who hope to do something special for Indian residential school survivors.

On Sept. 1, the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat put out a call for proposals for personal or community healing initiatives.

“We are not the only organization working on it, but I am glad we are aware of it,” said Desjarlais.

Desjarlais and Francis are hoping to take survivors on a healing tour.

Although all the details have yet to be worked out, Desjarlais would like to take survivors to visit sacred sites. Whether it is just a local tour or a lengthier, out-of-province tour is dependent on how many survivors sign up.

Desjarlais said the tour could include a trip to Winnipeg to tour the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation or a trip to B.C. to visit the mountains.

“There’s so much you can do,” he said.

Desjarlais said sometimes just getting out of the city and being with peers can help a person’s well-being.

However, before plans can be made, each survivor must sign a consent form indicating they would like to participate in the program the friendship centre is able to provide.

The deadline to submit proposals is Dec. 1., so time is of the essence.

Desjarlais said it is a quick turnaround and meeting the deadline means all interested survivors must have their consent form completed and submitted to the friendship centre by Nov. 20.

He said their short deadline is necessary because they need time to write up a proposal and budget and mail off the proposal for consideration.

Francis said they plan to host a couple of workshops in North Central to get the word out.

She said more information on the process is available online at www.iap-pei.ca/former-ancien/groupeng.php, but said the easiest way to get information or a consent form would be to contact her at 306-519-8435 or Desjarlais at 306-519-9567 or by calling the office at 306-525-5042.

Frances said they will bring the form to survivors and provide assistance if needed.

If everything works out the team hopes to take survivors on a healing tour early next summer.