As she stood on the pier waving goodbye to her parents, she did not know it was the last time she would ever see them.

Noelledeva Hanuse-Young was only six years old when she was forcibly removed from her home, family and community and sent to live at the residential school in Sechelt. While there, she suffered immeasurably as she tried to come to terms with the scope of her loss and adapt to her new surroundings.

Today, Hanuse-Young is an Aboriginal Success counsellor with School District No. 46 (SD46). She is also a restorative justice facilitator with the Community Justice Program of the Sunshine Coast, working with Aboriginal youth to support healing, reintegration and the prevention of further harm in the aftermath of a criminal offence or wrongdoing. Hanuse-Young will share her profound and poignant personal healing journey and how restorative justice is helping the community to heal and move forward from this dark legacy.

Tamara Forsyth-Jacobsen is an Aboriginal support educator with SD46 and a facilitator with the Community Justice Program. She has facilitated many restorative justice conferences involving Aboriginal youth. Following Hanuse-Young’s presentation, Forsyth-Jacobsen will share highlights of her experiences and describe the ways in which this approach is strengthening individuals and the wider community.

Invite your friends and come out and support your local restorative justice program. The AGM and presentation will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sechelt Band Hall.

— Submitted