Healing Through Heritage: The Lake Melville School Cultural Exchange Trip

Ontario Akwesasne, October 10, 2025

In partnership with the Labrador Heritage Society, the Lake Melville School in Northwest River, Labrador, undertook an inspiring journey of cultural revitalization and intergenerational healing through a project supported by the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada.

At the heart of this initiative was The Pitsatujuk (Strong) Drummers, a student group guided by Salome Jararuse, a Sixties Scoop Survivor, educator, and cultural leader. The grant support made it possible for the group to travel to Conne River, where they shared songs, stories, and teachings while learning from other Indigenous communities..

Bridging Generations Through Culture The project brought together youth and Elders in a space that celebrated the strength and resilience of Indigenous identity. Under Jararuse’s guidance, students explored traditional drumming as more than a musical practice it became a way to reclaim history, language, and community pride

Through regular practices and cultural preparation sessions, the group created a safe, trauma-informed environment where learning about heritage also meant healing from the intergenerational impacts of the Sixties Scoop. Empowering Survivors and Their Descendants A key strength of this project lies in its survivor-led approach. As the main instructor and program lead, Salome Jararuse’s expertise ensured cultural authenticity while also centering Survivor voices in leadership and decision-making.

Community Impact The exchange reached far beyond the participants themselves. Over 1,380 students and staff across five schools were able to observe performances, ask questions, and engage in meaningful dialogue about Indigenous traditions and history. Approximately 27 students from both Lake Melville and St. Peter’s School participated directly in the exchange, most of whom are descendants of Sixties Scoop Survivors.

For these youth, drumming became a bridge to cultural connection, confidence, and leadership. Each beat of the drum served as both a remembrance of loss and a declaration of resilience—echoing across generations.

Creating Safe Spaces for Healing

The project’s trauma-informed design ensured students could reconnect with their heritage in a setting of understanding and support. Through Salome’s steady presence and care, participants experienced not only cultural learning but emotional growth—building self-esteem, belonging, and mutual respect.

A Path Forward The Lake Melville School Cultural Exchange Trip stands as a model for how community-driven, Survivor-led programs can contribute to healing and reconciliation. By fostering cultural pride and supporting the next generation of Indigenous leaders, this project continues the work of restoring connections once disrupted by the Sixties Scoop—one drumbeat at a time.