Boozhoo. I am Kinew Gaabo or Terry Copenace from Big Grassy First Nation. In reflecting on the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and Orange Shirt Day, many questions surface that I would have liked to ask my dad (indede). This is how this piece of writing came about. I was 24 years old when my dad passed away. Today I am 50 years old. I often wonder what he would tell me.
Indede (My Dad)
By Terry Copenace
Indede what do you think about Orange Shirt Day
meant for remembering Survivors of residential schools
does it provide healing?
Indede what do you think about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
i remember in the ’80s, you would gather with other survivors
to support one another
Zoong-ide’oong (They are brave), you would say
for telling their stories
i always thought you were brave too
You didn’t want me to stand for Oh Canada in school
i understood because of what happened
to you and your friends in the residential school
so, i had to be brave like you
i didn’t stand
Indede do you think compassion and justice
will increase for our people as Canadians learn the truth?
Indede what about Canada as a nation and its citizens
do they see harms as in the past or still alive?
big questions, i know, only they can answer
You often spoke about our people,
treaties, ceremonies, land, language, water,
animals, fish, and so much more
But i wonder would you want me to stand for Oh Canada, today?
*Indede Bines-Soo-Betung-iban (Fred Joseph Copenace) attended the Cecelia Jeffery Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. He passed away in August 1999 and never got to see Orange Shirt Day.