Healing ceremony set for Lejac

The Nations of Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en are hosting a three-day healing ceremony at the site of the former Lejac Indian Residential School, 160 kilometres west of Prince George.

The event called, ‘Wiping the Tears Healing Ceremony’ takes place between June 18 to 20 will be supported by Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS).

This ceremony is intended to allow people, Indigenous and all cultures, the opportunity to grieve and let go of the pain they may be experiencing as a result of the recent finding of 215 unmarked graves of Indigenous children at the Kamloops Residential School site.

CSFS said plans include a sacred fire ceremony to release the souls of the children to the Creator.

The ceremony will include the presence of Fire Keepers for the duration of three days, as well as opportunities to seek support from traditional healers, mental health clinicians and support workers.

Cultural ceremonies and healing activities will occur throughout the three-day event, including drumming and singing, as well as smudging.

CSFS said COVID-19 precautions will be in place, and marshals will be present to ensure social distancing and that maximum numbers outlined by Provincial Health regulations are not exceeded at any one time.

“Many of our children were taken out of their communities and placed in a dormitory environment which had devastating effects on children and also communities alike. In some communities there were no children left, all the children were taken away from their homes, so of course, once that happened despair set in,” said Warner Adam, Carrier Sekani Family Services CEO.

The Lejac Residential school operated from 1922 to 1976 by the Roman Catholic Church, near Fraser Lake and 160 kilometers west of Prince George. The majority of children who attended were Carrier children, although Sekani and Gitksan children attended as well.

The sacred fire ceremony will provide the space for residential school survivors the opportunity to let go of re-traumatization as impacted by the findings of the 215 little ones at the Kamloops Residential School site.

Wiping the Tears Healing Ceremony will take place June, 18, 19, 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An opening ceremony will take place on June 18 at 10 a.m.

CSFS said all are welcome who wish to pay respects, grieve and seek solace, healing and reconciliation including non-Indigenous people.