"One Man's Opinion" By Tehaliwaskénhas HAUNTING FACE OF THE PAST HELPS NATIVE PEOPLES MOVE FORWARD West Vancouver, On-Reserve - If the cliché - a picture paints a thousand words - is true, then you will be overwhelmed by an avalanche of words when you visit the Provincial Residential School Project. The project, an initiative of the BC First Nations Summit, supported by Medical Services Branch, Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, is working with survivors of residential school abuse. Some call them victims, but when you consider they're still alive after what they've suffered, then survivor is definitely a fitting term. It's hard not to have admiration for these human beings, especially if you sit amongst them in healing circles that can last, in at least one instance more than eight hours non-stop. It's an indication of the degree of the sorrow that flows from their stories, disclosures that for some are the first in forty years. The valley of their pain must stretch miles and miles down inside mother earth. Grown men and women, with the cries and sobbing of children who they once tried to be, reach down into the depth of their souls. They bring out the knots of pain, the torrents of anger and powerful emotions, hidden for years along with the secrets of the sexual, physical and emotional abuse they suffered in residential school. Just the act of writing about it, stirs up memories, and feelings in the pit of my stomach make me want to throw up. You can't help but be inspired by the courage of these people, and wonder at the strength and determination of their survival. It helps me ponder the future for Native Peoples in Canada with an encouraging amount of hope and healing. The journey of the thousands of human beings forced to go to those schools, is a gift to others --- those of us who shared similar experiences of abuse in foster homes, or the latest revelations about abuse of Native children in tuberculosis centres.

The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples is not light reading, but making the effort is worthwhile, for out of the pages of its cross-country investigations jump the revelations of Canada's true relationship with the Native Peoples of this land. The messages are clear, but the question remains, will Canadians truly embrace the reality of what happened, and work with us to move forward? There is hope. When I was about twenty summers younger than I am today, I knew a man named Bob Nixon, a politician. I was a young and cynical reporter and carried little respect for the so-called movers-and-shakers of this world. But Nixon was one of the few that you knew in your heart, was a good human being. His genes hold out hope for our people. Daughter Jane - Jane Stewart, Minister of Indian Affairs seems to carry his country-grown honesty and sincerity. Put her together with Phil Fontaine, one of our first leaders to speak out on residential school abuse, then progress is truly possible. Generally speaking, it seems to me that we are seeking healing solutions to our many challenges. Turtle Island Native Network can perhaps act as a lightning rod that can help us look back and move forward at the same time. Now that we've seen the scary face of the past let's find ways together to 'Honour Our Tears' and to show our respect for those who have survived, and those who haven't. - All My Relations - Tehaliwaskénhas - George Robert (Bob) Kennedy is on the red road of recovery. He is a grateful member of the Haudenosaunee, turtle clan Oneida Nation of the Thames. An award winning broadcast journalist who also has worked as a communications advisor to first nation, provincial and federal governments; land claims negotiator; mediator; alcohol and drug counselor. He is the publisher and editor of Turtle Island Native Network.