People from Pemberton and the Lil’wat Nation can gather for an insightful conversation with Dr Lorna ‘Wanósts’a7’ Williams on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation later this month. Wanósts’a7 will host the "Lunch and Listen" event on Sept. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pemberton’s Downtown Community Barn.
The free event is fully supported by the Village of Pemberton (VOP), the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and Aligned Creative. Complimentary soup and bannock will be given to the first 200 guests. People are asked to wear orange to honour survivors and remember the children lost to residential schools. Guests are also asked to bring their own chair.
Wanósts’a7’ was honoured with the Order of Canada for her more than 50 years of contributions to Indigenous rights, cultural preservation and understanding. She is a survivor of St. Joseph's Mission and spent her life ensuring future generations reach their full potential.
In 1973, she was instrumental in opening Mount Currie’s band-controlled school, the second First Nation in Canada to do so. Wanósts’a7 spoke about the momentous step in a recent interview with Pique.
“It was a concerted effort by lots of people in the community,” she said. “We knew we had to try to change it. One of my sisters was the only teacher in Mount Currie. Her name was Mary Louise Williams. She worked with the Union of Indian BC Chiefs at the time to advocate for our rights. It was the through the work of the union and the National Indian Brotherhood which became the Assembly of First Nations. They put together a case."
The people of Lil’wat Nation finally got a say in their children's education.
“I was sent to visit every household to talk to every family about what they wanted for their children,” said Wanosts’a7. “That’s what guided our school that exists now in Mount Currie. The people said that they wanted the school to focus on the retention of our language, for the children to learn how to speak our language. They wanted their children to learn our history.”
In Whistler, admission to the Squamish-Lil'wat Cultural Centre is free on Sept. 30. Read more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here.
