On May 14th, Oshawa Community Health Centre hosted its second Aboriginal Awareness workshop to staff from various agencies and institutions from across Durham Region including: Durham Children’s Aid Society, Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board, YWCA, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and Oshawa Community Health Centre.

Bill Littlefair, the Aboriginal Assessment Facilitator for the health centre, facilitated the workshop through focusing on an overview of the purpose, establishment and operation of Indian Residential Schools in Canada. In response to the discussions and information shared, participants received and decorated tiles for the children of St. Barnabas School, once located in Onion Lake, Saskatchewan. Elder Cliff Standingready, a survivor of Indian Residential Schools, shared some of this personal experiences and then conducted ceremony which included smudging the tiles.

Project of Heart sends its thanks to the Oshawa Community Health Centre, for bringing so many stakeholders in the community together for a common purpose. Big thanks also to Elder Cliff Standingready, for his untiring commitment to educate learners of all ages, to the impact of the Indian Residential Schools.