September 5 & 6, 2026
Dauphin Friendship Centre, Dauphin, Manitoba
The MacKay Residential School Gathering Inc. committee initially had wanted to have a gathering in Thompson in summer of 2025. But because of the northern fires, it was postponed and we decided to have the gathering or reunion in Dauphin, Manitoba.
I personally thought it was best to have it in Dauphin for a couple of reasons. First, for many it is always the first time for them to attend. And their memories will be triggered by happy, sad, anger and many other emotions. This is a way for them to start on their healing journey.
And secondly, for many this is to bring closure to their many years of healing journey. And they can focus on the intergenerational impacts of the Indian residential schools has brought. And it was fitting that we had an opportunity to visit the former Mackay Indian Residential School for the last time. (The building was bought by a developer who will turn the buildings into apartments).
As years go by when we hold these reunions/gatherings, there are more and more people who attend. This year of 2026 we had about 50 people who registered. It does not include the three support team from Anish. It tells us that more of us are waking up and want to heal from our past.
We brought out the memory blanket for the survivors to remember our comrades who have passed away. We had a long list of deceased survivors of which we will write their names on the ribbons as a symbolic gesture in their memory.
There was a large circle of survivors that took about day and half to complete. Each shared story holds a memorable and inspiration in me. I was very emotional as I heard everyone. All survivors lived a hard life after they returned home. I was able to empathise their experiences while at the residential schools. There was a lot of tears and laughter. In the end, the reunion and or gathering of the survivors tells me we are resilient people. We need to refocus our energy towards the next generation who was impacted by residential schools but did not attend.
It’s been 16 years since Alice Bear, Dan Highway and myself had a gathering back in 2010 at the Southeast Resource College. Back then, there was no funding. We had this gathering with our own pocket money. We felt it had to be done.
Clara Kirkness