In recognition o f National Day for Truth and Reconciliation\, join Bangishimo and their mo ther\, Elder and Residential School Survivor Lila Bruyere\, for a powerful conversation about family\, resilience\, and the lasting impacts of the r esidential school system across generations.
\nHaving shared their s tories together publicly for many years\, Bangishimo and Lila offer person al reflections on how residential schools have shaped their lives\, their family\, and their healing journeys. They will also speak about a remarkab le milestone: becoming the first mother and child to graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University at the same time.
\nThe afternoon will begin wit h a welcome and song from Amy Smoke\, co-founder of Ose:Kenhionhata (Land Bac k Camp) and co-director of the Willow River Centre\, alongside Bangish imo.
\nThis program offers an opportunity to listen\, learn\, and re flect on Indigenous experiences\, the ongoing impacts of residential schoo ls\, and the importance of truth\, reconciliation\, and community.
\nLila Bruyere is a survivor of St. Margaret's Residential school\, originally from Fort Frances\, Ontario Treaty # 3 ar ea. Retired certified addictions counselor and worked in the field for 25 years. One of her greatest accomplishments was going back to school to ear n her BA in Social Work degree at the age of forty-eight. She continued re aching for her goals and went back to school in 2013 to earn her Master of Social Work - Indigenous Field of Study from Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2019\, she was selected to become a member of the Truth &\; Reconcil iation Commission (TRC) - National Survivors Circle. She would spend the n ext three years attending gatherings across Canada as a representative for the TRC. She is honored to have been appointed to this position and becom e a voice for other survivors. After working with the Truth &\; Reconci liation Survivors Circle\, Lila retired from working in the field of addic tions counseling and gambling counseling. Her dream is to work on a docume ntary called &ldquo\;I Am Water&rdquo\; a story of a residential school su rvivor who is presently a public speaker. Throughout the years\, she spoke at elementary schools\, colleges and universities educating the public ab out my experience inside the school from the age of six till fourteen. Lil a continues her healing journey and enjoys what she does. Her motto is: &l dquo\;I want to be the best version of myself\, I can be.&rdquo\;
\nBangishimo (they/them)\, is an IndigiQueer Anis hinaabe originally from Couchiching First Nation. They are the co-founder of Ose:Kenhionhata (Land Back Camp) and Co-director of Willow River Centre . They served as the City of Kitchener&rsquo\;s inaugural Indigenous Artis t-in-Residence (2022-23) and most recently the first Artist in Residence f or Longhouse Labs at the University of Waterloo (2024-2025).
\nAmy Smoke (they/them) is Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River. They are a 2S IndigiQueer parent\, co mmunity organizer\, teacher and co-founder of O:se Kenhionhata:tie\, LandB ack Camp. They are co-director of the Willow River Centre\, the first and only 2S IndigiQueer-led organization in Waterloo Region. They also teach a t the University of Waterloo in the School of Social Work.
\nEveryon e welcome. Please register each person attending separately. \;
\n< p>This program will take place outdoors\, in the Naturespace\, if weather allows. In the case of inclement weather\, we will relocate to the Program Room.\nPhotography Notice: Please note th at photographs and videos may be taken at this event and may be broadcast\ , reproduced\, and/or made available in print or online. For individual or small group photos\, staff will make attendees aware of their presence an d will ask permission before taking photos. \;
\nFor larger publ ic events\, please note that by attending\, you are consenting to the use of your appearance\, image\, and voice in print or digital productions cre ated by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you&rsquo\;d like to be excluded from an y photo/video. \;
\nStaff: Maddy
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