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.
Today's Events & Programs
Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.
Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.
Cost: $20 plus HST.
Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.
Join Archives Technician Elizabeth Fewer for an exclusive members-only tour of the archives vault.
Go beyond the public displays and explore a fascinating collection of historical diaries, dating from 1862 to the 1930s. These personal records provide a unique glimpse into daily life and winter weather observations of the past.
Cost: $20 plus HST.
Registration: Opens at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Secure your spot by calling (709) 757-8090.
Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!
Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.
What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.
This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.
Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.
Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!
Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador
Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.
Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.
Unleash Your Inner Artist at The Rooms!
Come draw at The Rooms and practice your skills with focused exercises.
What to Expect:
Our experienced instructor will guide you through fundamental drawing techniques. Each session focuses on a different theme, from drawing the harbour view to capturing the details of our natural history collection.
This is a creative and supportive environment; all skill levels and experience are welcome! Designed for ages 15 and up.
Quality drawing supplies are available, or feel free to bring your own sketchbook.
Cost: $20 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Drop-ins welcome!
Celebrate 20 Years of Stories with Music at The Rooms
Join us for a musical celebration of The Rooms’ 20 Years of Stories.
This performance will honour the season with a rich mix of traditional Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas music, original compositions, and stories deeply rooted in our shared culture. With its emotional resonance, musical excellence, and local voice, this concert aligns perfectly with The Rooms’ mission to preserve and celebrate the stories that shape our province.
Honouring The Rooms’ Legacy Through Song
To reflect the milestone anniversary, the show will feature Echoes in the Halls, an original composition by Linda Hickey and recorded by Hamilton Sound in 2025. This deeply moving piece was inspired by museum spaces and the sacred act of preserving memory. It serves as a tribute to The Rooms’ 20-year commitment to storytelling, curation, and the voices of past and present.
As the festive season draws near, the performance will also include a selection of beloved holiday music, filling the theatre with the warmth and joy of Christmas.
Come immerse yourself in this heartwarming celebration and enjoy the festive cheer—an unforgettable evening to share with family and friends.
Cost: $25 plus HST. 10% discount for Rooms members. Get your tickets online or by calling (709) 757-8090. (Does not include admission to the galleries.)