News and Events
"To Hear and Be Heard: Tales to Link Us All", Conference 2016
Master Class: Narratives of Healing, Hope & Reconciliation with Flora Zaharia and Sandra Krahn
This workshop will explore multiple dimensions of Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada. Flora Zaharia will share stories of her personal experiences in residential schools and how the schools impacted her family. Sandra Krahn will guide the group through several activities exploring ways that reconciliation can take place at both personal and community levels. The day will include dialogue on how storytelling can be used to create spaces of understanding between people with different life experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Bios:
Flora Zaharia
I was born on the Kainai Community, Blood Reserve, Cardston, Alberta to caring parents who always had time for my seven siblings and me. As in almost all First Nation Communities, I was sent to the Residential School at age 7. My parents, at their expense, sent me to Lacombe Home, a private Catholic School for Grade 9 -12 so that I could continue my education. I went on to the universities of Calgary and Manitoba receiving my teaching certificate and Master’s degree in Education. After teaching for many years, I worked as the Director of Manitoba Native Education Branch for nine years before I retired.
Sandra Krahn
I was born in Winnipeg, in Treaty 1 Territory. My journey into storytelling has challenged me to explore my Metis heritage. I have begun to understand how family narratives are interconnected with the historical, cultural and political landscapes of Canada. Grounding my personal story in Canadian history has given me confidence to engage in community activism supporting the process of reconciliation. I am an educator, artist, PhD candidate and activist. These identities give me the opportunity to express concepts of identity and reconciliation from multiple perspectives.
