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National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Affirming Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Community Control over Knowledge and Information

Photos from our National Gathering held in Vancouver, British Columbia from January 16th-18th, 2023

Charlene Belleau, Survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission

Knowledge Keeper, Aaron Williams, provided Opening and Closing Prayers and shared important Teachings

During the Gathering, Megan Metz, Haisla Nation Youth, said that the sharing of Indigenous knowledge is Indigenous data sovereignty.

Participants at the National Gathering

Vanessa Prescott, Métis Youth

Participants at the National Gathering

Gathering Co-Chair, Dr. Gwendolyn Point

Knowledge Keeper, Cheryl Rivers, provided Opening and Closing Prayers and shared important Teachings

Aaron Franks, Senior Research Manager, FNIGC

Participant at the National Gathering

Eugene Arcand, member of the NCTR Survivors’ Circle

Hoop Dancer, Shantae King, demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

Throughout the National Gathering, culturally-relevant and responsive health supports were available to provide emotional and spiritual support to participants and speakers.

Gathering Co-Chair, Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil

Survivor, Wilbert Papik, shared songs on the second day of the Gathering.

A Sacred Fire was lit by David Clarke, who was the Head Fire Keeper and tended to the Fire with support from the First Nations Health Authority cultural support workers.

Kristin Kozar, Interim Executive Director Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, UBC

Ed Sadowski, Researcher supporting the CSAA

Jeff Ward, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Animikii, said that complex methods of sharing and protecting Indigenous data and knowledge developed over millennia.

Richard Jock, CEO of the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

Participant at the National Gathering

Ashley Whitworth, Yúusneẁas Project Director

The Empty Chair

Kimberly Murray, Independent Special Interlocutor

Amber Kustochenko presenting to participants at the National Gathering

Grand Chief Steven Point delivering the Keynote Address.

Amber D. Kostuchenko, Project Manager with the Stó:lō Service Agency

Jean-Pierre Morin, Departmental Historian, CIRNAC

Karen Andrews, Métis Survivor

Véronique Mireault, Translator

The Sasquatch Dancers demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

Angela Sterritt, Journalist

Shelly Joseph and the Namwayut Group shared songs and dances on the final day of the Gathering.

The Sasquatch Dancers demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

Dr. Marie Wilson, Former TRC Commissioner and Participant

The Sasquatch Dancers demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

The Sasquatch Dancers demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

Elected Chief Jen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Councillor Stewart Gonzales of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, and Knowledge Keeper Brandon Thomas

A Qulliq lit by Elder and Survivor, Dr. Levinia Nuqaalaq Brown

The Sasquatch Dancers demonstrated the resilience of Indigenous youth in practicing their cultures – reminding participants of the purpose of the Gathering and providing hope for the future.

Charlene Belleau, Survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission

Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools

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Survivors and Family members of Survivors may receive immediate emotional support by contacting the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

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