February 2, 2024. We spent the day in Pikogan, an Algonquin community of 700 inhabitants. Activities were organized, including a sharing circle among all participants in the school gymnasium. The goal was to talk about how we feel so far. We also visited the site of a former residential school near Amos. It was an emotional day for me and many others.
I can also tell you that I feel deeply ashamed and extremely disappointed in my people. Even more so now, learning about the atrocities we subjected them to and continue to do so to this day.
Hanna, an elder from the village, came to tell us her story in front of the ruins of that cursed residential school, of which she still bears vivid scars. She was identified by her student number (109), which was written on all her clothes. Hanna, along with many other children, was forcibly taken from her real family to be assimilated and essentially exterminated. The priests subjected the children to atrocities within those walls. It’s horrifying to think that it’s possible to treat people in this way. And I spare you the rest because it hurts me just to think about it.
Today, I have no photos to provide because I wanted to show my respect for them and have you focus on this short narrative.
We resume the journey tomorrow towards Rouyn-Noranda.
Keep UP With Us
- Real-Time GPS
- Day 8 | The Support Team
- Day 9 | These Inspiring Women
- Day 10 | Warriors’ Rest
- Day 11 | Roller Coaster Ride and Star of the Day
- Day 12 | Mutual Aid and Success
- Day 13 | Fatigue and Festivities
- Day 14 | Saint-Michel-des-Saints To La Tuque
- Day 15 | An Emotional End
Previous Articles
- Day 6 | Messengers of Reconciliation
- Day 5 | Chibougamau to Lebel-sur-Quevillon
- Day 4 | Mashteuiatsh to Chibougamau
- Day 3 | Jonquière to Mashteuiatsh
- Day 2 | Essipit to Jonquière
- Day 1 | Finally, the Big Departure!
- Day -1 | One Day Before Launch
- Day -2 | Two Days Before Launch
- Day -3 | 3 Days Before Launch
