On Wednesday morning, the 2026 Dene National Assembly took a break from proceedings to honour the legacy of residential schools.
The morning of the assembly’s second day began with a breakfast and march to the Kátł’odeeche First Nation Community Arbour.
At the arbour, drummers, Elders and community members held a fire ceremony, sang a prayer song and had a short drum dance.
Following the ceremony at the arbour, Robert Beaulieu gave a presentation at the Chief Lamalice Complex on the history of residential schools, efforts to get justice and compensation, and his experience in residential schools.
Beaulieu, a member of the Salt River First Nation, said he was sent to residential school when he was three years old. He attended schools in Fort Resolution and Fort Smith.
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He was also a hockey player for the University of Calgary Dinos and University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Beaulieu said he has done a lot of healing with counsellors, Elders and people he trusted. His guiding principle? “It’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s how you deal with it.”
“I can’t change my path, my path has happened. I have to accept it,” said Beaulieu.
In his presentation about his experiences, Beaulieu talked about catching and skinning rabbits for spending money, playing in bands, winning the 1963 NWT basketball championship and playing on Fort Smith’s JBT High School curling team. Beaulieu was inducted into the NWT Sport Hall of Fame in 2026.
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Dene National Chief George Mackenzie described Beaulieu’s presentation and story as “an inspiration for us.”
Mackenzie, a residential school survivor himself, offered his “deepest respect” to survivors and their families.
“I honour your courage, your strength, and the lives you have built despite the pain the residential school system caused,” said Mackenzie.
“Residential school did not weaken our people’s spirits. Our culture, language, family and communities remain strong.
“To all survivors, families and communities, we see you, we honour you and we stand with you.”
Mackenzie spoke about what the Dene Nation wants reconciliation to be and that it “must be more than words.”
“It must include respect for our Dene rights, support for survivors and families, and changes that repair past wrong,” he said.
