Law Society of Saskatchewan Human Rights Putting a Face to the Calls to Action: A Conversation with Beatrice Wallace (CPD 332)
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Putting a Face to the Calls to Action: A Conversation with Beatrice Wallace (CPD 332)
June 9, 2022From Law Society Admissions and Education department
In response to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Law Society began offering webinars, workshops and training beginning with the Truth and Reconciliation Training for the Legal Profession Workshop (CPD 152) back in 2017. After several years of educational and substantive offerings in this area, and in response to members’ suggestions, we sought out personal stories and experiences from members of the Indigenous community here in Saskatchewan. It is one thing to know the history and another to know the person, to hear the story.
Even when we know someone, though, we may know the barest outline of what they’ve experienced. I worked with Beatrice Wallace at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission for a little over two years. In our daily work, I didn’t hear her story – we worked in different departments and different buildings and met for meetings. Most often we learned one another’s stories when on our office retreats, when sharing or preparing meals together. I learned even more of Bea’s story in the years after, as she began speaking out about human trafficking.
On June 20 at 2:00 p.m., I hope you’ll join us to learn more of Bea’s story, as well.
Beatrice is the daughter of a residential school survivor and was placed into care at seven months. At four, she was adopted into a middle-class white household where she experienced racism and abuse. When she was kicked out of the house at 13, she moved into a group home in Regina’s north-central neighbourhood. Before long, she had run away with another girl from the home and was sexually exploited by two men. Today, she is the Director of Addictions for Souls Harbour, a co-founder of the White Pony Lodge, the mother of eight children, and grandmother of six. She continues to share her story to raise awareness about human trafficking, and the realities that many Indigenous women face.
The whole story can be a lot to unpack, even when we do it often. Those who share don’t know how some part of it will hit them that day, that minute. I’m grateful there are so many members of our Indigenous community willing to share. I hope we listen well and remember the cost of doing so.
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