In 1967, ten aboriginal students from a Residential School near Winnipeg earned the honour of collectively running 800 kilometers with the torch that would open the Pan Am Games. As they arrived at the entrance of the stadium to what would be the cheers of the crowd, the torch was taken from them and given to non-aboriginal runners. The boys were given money to buy lunch before they got on a bus to return to their Residential School.
In 1999 at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, the men were invited to carry the torch into the stadium in a gesture intended to undo the injustice of thirty years earlier.
Fast forward another 15 years. The young boys, now nearly 70 years old came to Guelph for the premiere of the film, FrontRunners, which chronicles their story. They spoke of abuse and deprivation. They spoke of how the experience of Residential Schools has affected their intimate relationships. They also spoke about the healing they experience in having their story received.
Some stories continue to reveal primary truths.
- There is always the possibility to write a new chapter of a story.
- We carry the weight of some distressing stories all our lives. “We’re sorry”, while meaningful, does not fully repair damage done.
- The capacity for human truth-telling and for reframing of our stories makes artists of us all.
For more information: http://www.anglican.ca/relationships/resources/niiganibatowaad
Niigaanibatowaad: FrontRunners Movie Trailer
Margo Ritchie CSJ