Next week residential school survivors and their families from across the Maritimes will have an opportunity to make their voices heard and express their anger and grief over abuses suffered by First Nations children at the hands of staff at the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School.

A news article in The Coast reports that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada will be in Halifax next week at the World Trade and Convention Centre from October 26-29 to meet with survivors. Up to 600 people are expected to attend. The Commission has been traveling across Canada in an effort to facilitate dialogue and healing. 

Attendees will have the chance to speak with representatives from government and the clergy and give testimonials. 

Read the full article: http://www.thecoast.ca/RealityBites/archives/2011/10/11/trust-and-reconciliation-commission-to-come-to-halifax

Tell us your thoughts: Is the work of the Commission enough of a first step towards healing? What, if any, other methods of acknowledgment would you like to see offered? 

(Photo credit: 'Class of Mi'kmaq girls taken in the Shubenacadie Residential School, Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, 1929', Public Archives of Canada Flickr stream.)