Raquel Sa, Special to The Chatham Voice
A movement towards reconciliation began in the hallways of Chatham-Kent Secondary School on June 16, where 65 students in Denise Helmer-Johnston’s Native Studies classes shared their experiences in visiting First Nations communities.
The students turned the hallways into an art gallery to take their peers on a gallery walk while they explained the photos.
Grade 12 student, Brock Redford, visited Walpole Island and built many new relationships.
His pictures were of the beauty of the reserve, and the people he had met within.
“Thank You for Love” was Redford’s title, as he was inspired by the love he saw for the environment in Walpole.
“It was an eye-opening experience for me. I learned a lot about everyone I met with and was given some great advice. As our goal was to reconcile with our First Nations communities, I realized I’ve been reconciling this whole time,” said Redford.
“Hope Calls Us To Action” was the title of Grade 12 student Jacklyn Janssen’s presentation.
Janssen visited Walpole Island, Moraviantown and Delaware.
Each of her pictures was labelled with numbers symbolizing how children in residential schools had a number instead of a name.
“You cannot put a price on me just like you cannot put a price on reconciliation. Actions speak louder than words,” said Janssen.
She also has photos posted on a Hope Calls Us To Action Facebook page.
“The fastest way to break stereotypes is to build personal relationships and trust. Over the course of three weeks, each individual student had his or her own experience in becoming part of this movement towards reconciliation,” said Helmer-Johnston.
