The Nature of Healing

The spoken truth of seven courageous people who survived the Mohawk Institute, Canada’s first and longest running “Indian” residential school. From victims to survivors, to activists, The Nature of Healing is a story of resistance, resilience and a healing path.The film features once children of the Mohawk Institute, in order of appearance, Elder Blanche Hill-Easton, Turtle Clan Six Nations of the Grand River, Mohawk Nation, Elder John Elliott, Wolf Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Mohawk Nation, Grandmother Roberta Hill, Turtle Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Mohawk Nation, Grandmother Dawn Hill, Turtle Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Mohawk Nation, Grandmother Sherlene Bomberry, Wolf Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Cayuga Nation, Grandfather Jimmie Edgar, Anishinaabe of Bawaating, Elder Bud Whiteye, Turtle Clan Lenape Nation (Delaware Nation of the Thames) and guest appearance, daughter of Mohawk Institute Survivor Shelly Clark, Snipe Clan Six Nations of the Grand River Cayuga Nation.The words of narration in The Nature of Healing come from Grandfather Jimmie Edgar’s powerful poem Grandmother’s Voice, written and spoken by Grandfather Jimmie Edgar himself. The residential school Survivors share their stories not only for themselves, but for the thousands of children across Turtle Island who never could. The sharing of their journey in and beyond the Mohawk Institute is frank and raw. Together they tell the complete story of childhood, adult life and a culture slated for genocide. Rather than end there, their courage and will to survive leads them in search of a path to healing. Their personal accounts make it clear, there is no one way to heal.