When he was four years old, Joachim Bonnetrouge was taken from his Dene village and brought to a residential school in Fort Providence where he stayed for 13 years.
Now, heSA国际影视传媒檚 at SA国际影视传媒渢hat good place of peacefulness,SA国际影视传媒� but it has taken him a long time to get there.
Like so many Indigenous children removed from their families, Bonnetrouge SA国际影视传媒� now chief of Deh Gah GotSA国际影视传媒檌e Kue First Nation in Fort Providence SA国际影视传媒� experienced years of sexual abuse in residential schools.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was a typical Indian residential school survivor,SA国际影视传媒� he says SA国际影视传媒淚 had all the characteristics, mannerisms, and attitudes.SA国际影视传媒�
The childhood trauma followed him and at age 43 Bonnetrouge sought help for alcoholism.
He started going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and SA国际影视传媒済oing beyond (his) egoSA国际影视传媒� to reach out for help and build his support system.
If he hadnSA国际影视传媒檛, he suspects he may have lost his wife and family.
After 30 years of sobriety, he says things are getting easier.
He is a father of four and a grandfather of 13. He says he is focused on being a good leader, a good teacher, and a good Dene man.
SA国际影视传媒淚 can set a net, shoot a moose, feed my family, but I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 always that way,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淭o be a good Dene you have to work at it. I sure worked at it.SA国际影视传媒�
Bonnetrouge is 74 years old and has been chief on and off for the last 19 years. Before that he was a band councillor and says he has worked for the band for well over 40 years.
His foray into politics came when he was 21. He said he liked to sleep-in in those days. One morning his mother came into his room while he was sleeping and told him that his uncle, chief at the time, wanted to see him.
It turned out that his uncle was looking for someone to write a letter to Indian Affairs in Yellowknife to get some more nets and supplies for the community. After that he started following his uncle to meetings, carrying his bags and the rest is history.
Bonnetrouge said the reverberations of residential schools still ring clear in Deh Gah GotSA国际影视传媒檌e Kue.
SA国际影视传媒淚n our community, everyday, every night, every weekend you can still feel the remnants and the people learning to deal with their experiences.SA国际影视传媒�
In 2001 Bonnetrouge, with a group of other community members, ran a regional residential school healing program. The program made use of federal compensation funds to run healing workshops for survivors. They serviced nine Dehcho communities until they ran out of funding in 2009.
For those who continue to struggle with the anger and addiction, Bonnetrouge says SA国际影视传媒渏ust try to be the best you can be.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淭hings actually do get better,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚 was never a believer in that, but I learned that itSA国际影视传媒檚 true.SA国际影视传媒�
As far as reconciliation on a broad scale, Bonnetrouge says it starts with the Truth and Reconciliation CommissionsSA国际影视传媒� (TRC) 94 calls to action.
SA国际影视传媒淐anadians need to become engaged,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淭he larger society out there, they need to tune in.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒�(The TRC) has done their part. Now itSA国际影视传媒檚 up to families and up to communities to study it.SA国际影视传媒�
