WACEY RABBIT SPEAKS ON TRUTH & RECONCILIATION

By: Brayden Wozniak

September 30 has been declared Truth and Reconciliation Day and for Saskatoon Blades Assistant Coach Wacey Rabbit, it’s about honour and history.  

Rabbit, who grew up on Kainai First Nation in Southern Alberta, sat down with Rod Pedersen on ‘Orange Shirt Day’ to discuss its importance. 

“It’s a day of honouring those still suffering from inter-generational trauma,” said Rabbit. “And honouring those that did not make it home.”  

Rabbit’s grandfather, father and uncle were all residential school survivors. Many children did not make it home to their families, and conservative estimates by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission have deaths over 3200.  

The ones that did make it home, like Rabbit’s family, have suffered from the traumatic experiences they had during their time in residential schools. 

“That was our history, and it’s sad,” said Rabbit. “Now that it’s out there, it brings up a lot of trauma for my family.” 

Since the unmarked graves were found at Kamloops Residential School in May of 2021, the Every Child Matters movement and National Truth and Reconciliation day have been prominent factors in the healing and reconciliation process. 

But as Pedersen pointed out, healing is an “everyday thing,” which is why Rabbit uses his voice more than just on Sept. 30. 

“I’m speaking for the ones that didn’t have a voice,” said Rabbit. “I’m hopeful that I can represent them and my family proudly.” 

Rabbit said people can find organizations that support Indigenous people and their healing process and should do their own research online to understand the truth about Canada’s dark history, but emphasized there’s a further step that needs to be taken. 

“Doing what we’re doing, having a conversation,” he said. “That’s where it starts, is this conversation.”