Everyone welcome
In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, join Bangishimo and their mother, Elder and Residential School Survivor Lila Bruyere, for a powerful conversation about family, resilience, and the lasting impacts of the residential school system across generations.
Having shared their stories together publicly for many years, Bangishimo and Lila offer personal reflections on how residential schools have shaped their lives, their family, and their healing journeys. They will also speak about a remarkable milestone: becoming the first mother and child to graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University at the same time.
The evening will begin with a welcome and song from Amy Smoke, co-founder of Ose:Kenhionhata (Land Back Camp) and co-director of the Willow River Centre, alongside Bangishimo.
This program offers an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on Indigenous experiences, the ongoing impacts of residential schools, and the importance of truth, reconciliation, and community.
Lila Bruyere is a survivor of St. Margaret's Residential school, originally from Fort Frances, Ontario Treaty # 3 area. Retired certified addictions counselor and worked in the field for 25 years. One of her greatest accomplishments was going back to school to earn her BA in Social Work degree at the age of forty-eight. She continued reaching for her goals and went back to school in 2013 to earn her Master of Social Work - Indigenous Field of Study from Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2019, she was selected to become a member of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) - National Survivors Circle. She would spend the next three years attending gatherings across Canada as a representative for the TRC. She is honored to have been appointed to this position and become a voice for other survivors. After working with the Truth & Reconciliation Survivors Circle, Lila retired from working in the field of addictions counseling and gambling counseling. Her dream is to work on a documentary called “I Am Water” a story of a residential school survivor who is presently a public speaker. Throughout the years, she spoke at elementary schools, colleges and universities educating the public about my experience inside the school from the age of six till fourteen. Lila continues her healing journey and enjoys what she does. Her motto is: “I want to be the best version of myself, I can be.”
Bangishimo (they/them), is an IndigiQueer Anishinaabe originally from Couchiching First Nation. They are the co-founder of Ose:Kenhionhata (Land Back Camp) and Co-director of Willow River Centre. They served as the City of Kitchener’s inaugural Indigenous Artist-in-Residence (2022-23) and most recently the first Artist in Residence for Longhouse Labs at the University of Waterloo (2024-2025).
Amy Smoke (they/them) is Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan of the Six Nations of the Grand River. They are a 2S IndigiQueer parent, community organizer, teacher and co-founder of O:se Kenhionhata:tie, LandBack Camp. They are co-director of the Willow River Centre, the first and only 2S IndigiQueer-led organization in Waterloo Region. They also teach at the University of Waterloo in the School of Social Work.
Everyone welcome. Please register each person attending separately.
This program will take place outdoors, in the Naturespace, if weather allows. In the case of inclement weather, we will relocate to the Program Room.
Photography Notice: Please note that photographs and videos may be taken at this event and may be broadcast, reproduced, and/or made available in print or online. For individual or small group photos, staff will make attendees aware of their presence and will ask permission before taking photos.
For larger public events, please note that by attending, you are consenting to the use of your appearance, image, and voice in print or digital productions created by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you’d like to be excluded from any photo/video.
Staff: Maddy
AGE GROUP: | Older Adults | Everyone Welcome | Adults 19+ |
EVENT TYPE: | Special Events | Outdoors | Indigenous | Guest Speakers |
TAGS: | Adult learning |
Located at the RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex, the Eastside Branch boasts specialized creative spaces, quiet study areas, a nature education space and lots of natural light.
