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Survivors' Stories gathers youth from communities affected by genocide
to share their stories
TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Diversity is Canada's and Ontario's
greatest strength. We have flourished as a society because of our
welcoming spirit to people of all creeds, cultures, and backgrounds.
At the same time, we recognize that many communities are still
struggling with the impact of past atrocities. The Mosaic Institute is
reaching out to some of those communities with Survivors' Stories, a
cross-cultural discourse in keeping with the Mosaic model of
respectful dialogue with a focus on both youth and elders to share
their common lived experience.
The Mosaic Institute has partnered with the Aboriginal Sport and
Wellness Council of Ontario, Canadian Romani Alliance, Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Canadian Association of Rwandan Youth,
Rwandan Canadian Association, and The Centre for Israel and Jewish
Affairs- whom all have faced genocide or crimes against humanity in
their community's histories - to establish a youth Steering Committee.
The Committee will meet throughout the year to share their stories and
attend awareness-building community events. The outcomes of the
dialogues will be ultimately transformed into resources that will be
shared broadly to strengthen intercultural understanding amongst
Canadians. We are looking to bring on other communities with similar
historical experiences in the future.
An Indigenous steering committee member, Hayley Cochrane notes, "We
acknowledge those who did not survive their countries' genocide and we
do this work in your honour. Our unique Committee is made up of family
members of survivors from different genocides that took place around
the world. We feel the loss that our ancestors felt. We are here to
offer healing to those who need it and to implement proactive measures
to ensure that genocide ends for good."
One of our Rwandan steering committee members, Kizito Bijyinama
Musabimana adds, "A genocide survivor's experience never ends with the
atrocity. Its horror lives on in our minds, and the more we try to
forget, the more horrifying our life can become. As we enter new
societies, we cover up - daring never to be asked the question; what's
wrong? From this day, we do this - no longer, ready to face our
challenges. We hope to learn from each other by engaging in bold
conversations, bringing comfort and creating inclusivity through
shared experience."
Bernie M. Farber, Executive Director of the Mosaic Institute noted,
"Communities whose children have grown up in the shadow of inhumanity
carry with them a special strength and a strong soul. We are grateful
to the Province of Ontario, through the Ontario150 program for
providing the funding which will permit these young people to not only
share their common felt experiences but to also learn from others
outside their communities."
"Ontario150 is an important time to reflect on our diversity and
commit to better relations between and within all communities,
particularly religious or ethno-cultural communities with painful
connections to conflict," said Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism,
Culture and Sport. "That's why I'm proud to support Survivors'
Stories, an important project from the Mosaic Institute that will help
build a stronger, more inclusive Ontario and assist reconciliation
efforts with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples by
facilitating the therapeutic airing of historic tragedies to promote
healing."
About Ontario 1502017 is the 150th anniversary of Ontario as a
province. To recognize this historically significant year, the
government has launched Ontario150, a year-long commemoration that is
honouring the province's past, showcasing the present and inspiring
future generations. Through the Ontario150 grant programs and a
series of signature initiatives, Ontario is engaging youth,
encouraging cultural expression, promoting participation in sport and
recreation, and creating economic opportunities across the province.
Mosaic InstituteThe Mosaic Institute is a charitable not-for-profit
organization founded in 2007, which works to amplify the voices of
Canada's diverse communities across the country.
SOURCE The Mosaic Institute
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