Healing and Commemoration: Residential Schools


Date: Oct 22
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre
Coffee & Culture

After being left out of the apology delivered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008, Labrador students fought their own legal battle to come to a settlement with the Government of Canada in 2016 giving rise to the Healing and Commemoration project.  In 2019, The Rooms partnered with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to archive and make public stories collected from students who attended residential schools in Labrador and St. Anthony.  These stories and experiences are now available publicly online and are now exhibited at The Rooms as a means of educating the public about this dark time in our shared history and to foster understanding and hope for the future of healing and reconciliation.

Join, Kayla Burry, archivist with The Rooms Provincial Archives to learn about the history of residential schools in Labrador and Northern Newfoundland, the role that The Rooms played in bringing this collection to the public eye and how the exhibition came to be.

Capcity is limited, get your ticket early to secure your spot. You can reserve your ticket online, at the front desk or by calling visitor services at 757-8000.

ASL/English Interpreting Services are available through NLAD by request only to ASLservices@therooms.ca or 709-757-8090. We will do our best to accommodate requests made within two weeks of the scheduled event.

Events & Programs

10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Film Screening

Join us for Films On The Go, featuring a collection of short films from the most recent St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival (SJIWFF).

About the lineup: Sweetgrass, perfect brows, the surprisingly queer life of a climbing clip, a giant imaginary bear, and one very bad day in 1986, this year’s Films on the Go lineup delivers seven short films packed with big emotion, sharp humour, and unforgettable moments. Crafted by filmmakers from Newfoundland & Labrador, Mi’kma’ki, Canada, and beyond.

Learn more about the films and artists here: https://www.womensfilmfestival.com/filmsonthego

Presented in partnership with the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival.

Films play on a loop in our theatre during open hours, unless the space is booked for a private event.

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Playdate

Join us for a delightful afternoon at The Rooms! Bring your little ones to our enchanting Harbour View Room for unguided playtime surrounded by an array of toys and books tailored for infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4.

No prior registration is necessary; simply pay your admission at The Rooms front desk and drop in anytime between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm! Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that caregivers must accompany their children throughout the session. While our program room can accommodate up to 20 adults with their little ones, if it reaches capacity, we kindly ask caregivers to momentarily step back to make room for others to join in the fun.

The Playdate is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms Members. 

With support from Thomas and Susan (Kent) Foran Family Foundation.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Rainbow Family Tour

Embark on a vibrant journey together to view the captivating hues of the rainbow at The Rooms. On this guided tour, we will see a spectrum of colors: from fiery reds to sunny yellows, lush greens to serene blues, and even the elusive indigos and violets.

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

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