‘It would mean a lot’: Survivors of Mohawk residential school push for park in surrounding green space

Survivors of a Brantford residential school are raising money to create a park on the school's surrounding property in an effort to create space for healing and reconciliation.

Survivors of the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont., are raising money to create a park on the school’s surrounding property in an effort to create more space for healing and reconciliation.

Roberta Hill, who is Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory and a survivor of the Mohawk Institute Residential School, said some of her happier moments while attending the school happened in the green space outside the building.

“I think out here, a child can be a child,” said Hill, the board chair for the Mohawk Village Memorial Park.

“Indoors, not so much. There was a lot of violence and unhappiness.”

The Mohawk Institute Residential School operated as a boarding school for First Nations children from Six Nations, as well as other communities, from 1828 to 1970.

The school is currently being restored and is slated to become a historic site and educational resource.

“When you listen to the stories that come out of there, you will come out in a state of emotional turmoil having to deal with what you heard, but come out here (and) come to this space where you can sit and enjoy nature and you can reflect on what you heard and it won’t hurt you here,” she said.

Hill said the nearly $1 million has been raised through grants and donations and they have set a target of $5 million to complete the park and for ongoing maintenance.