Truth and Reconciliation Assembly: Monique Gray Smith

Last Thursday, the Brentwood Family had the exceptional opportunity of welcoming Monique Gray Smith as our keynote speaker at this year’s Truth and Reconciliation Assembly. 

In 2018, Ms Gray Smith received the Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature and last week she came to share with us her experience as an Indigenous author who is paving the way for further reconciliation. 

Ms Gray Smith began her speech by addressing her heritage and why Truth and Reconciliation is so crucial in finding justice for all the lives lost during Residential Schools and the abusive assimilation that took place. She eloquently stated that we “are the bridge between history and the future”. 

Ms Gray Smith extended a message of hope to the Brentwood family. She depicted a future of equity and connection. While talking about her first children’s book You Raise Me Up, she illustrated the importance of support. She helped us all see the bigger picture: creating space for Indigenous voices and stories to be heard so justice can be found. 

At the end of her talk, Ms Gray Smith wished us to “find beauty to the right, find beauty to the left, find beauty above and below and to find beauty behind and in front” of us. 

Ms Beausoleil Brentwood’s Indigenous Studies Coordinator added “The theme for our Truth and Reconciliation events this year is Resilience and Reconciliation, and our school community is grateful to have heard stories of resilience as part of tbe Cowichan Tzinquaw Song and Dance Groups opening five songs, leading into Monique’s inspirational message about hope. What an incredibly powerful assembly to be part of. Monique followed her keynote with visits to English First Peoples 10 classrooms, where she dove into the adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults and finished off the day with an evening book reading and signing event. She provided some insights into her journey as an author, secrets about her writing process, and an engaging Q&A with audience members”.

On behalf of the Brentwood community, I would like to express our gratitude for her wisdom, inspiration and kindness. Her knowledge and openness to teach is a gift that we students will not take for granted. So, thank you Ms Gray Smith for giving us the opportunity to learn. We hope you find success and joy in all of your future endeavours! 

Ella W, Mack ‘25