An important step on the journey toward reconciliation took place yesterday at Nipissing University.

As a part of Indigenous Week at the University, Reconciliation North Bay was launched.

Speakers included June Commanda, an Elder who is a Nipissing First Nation Council Member and Residential School Survivor.

“They say time heals all wounds; it didn’t for me,” she said. “Now I work to help my people. I got over the hurt and the hate that I had in me, but I want everyone to know what happened to those kids in the residential schools.”

Officials say reconciliation will be a long journey that will take political will and a multi-generational and multi-institutional commitment.

Nipissing President Dr Mike DeGagné was introduced as the Chair of Reconciliation North Bay.

“We know there are problems with Canada’s Indigenous populations. We know there are problems from the Residential Schools. There is a desire to make change but there is no blueprint offered to show us how,” he said. “So, we are going to start this process locally. We can follow some of the steps laid out in the Urban Aboriginal Strategy and we will call on local people, local champions to act and help us.”

The community-wide intiative will involve several sectors, including business, education, social service, political and more.

It’s part of the larger conversation about reconciliation stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.