Many students were forbidden to speak their native language at residential schools (CBC)

The first national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is set to happen in Winnipeg.

Indian Residential Schools survivors and their families, former school staff and others affected by the experience will meet at The Forks national historical site June 16 to 19.

It is the first of seven national events across the country to collect stories from former students, ranging from good memories to horrific accounts of physical and sexual abuse.

"We encourage survivors, and those whose lives have been impacted by the schools, to come forward during the gathering, and to feel safe opening up about their IRS experiences with the commission," said Justice Murray Sinclair, who has relatives who are residential school survivors from Manitoba.

"Once these truths are known, they will form a part of our country's historical record."

'Once these truths are known, they will form a part of our country's historical record.'—Justice Murray Sinclair

Tents will be set up for survivors to share their experiences in a safe, confidential and "culturally appropriate manner," according to the TRC.

Traditional healing and meditation practices will be offered, along with opportunities for the community to provide gestures of reconciliation.

Church representatives will be available as well to promote a fuller understanding of the effects the schools have had, and continue to have, on those involved.

Health supports will be available on site to assist anyone who may be experiencing emotional difficulty, the TRC said.

Justice Murray Sinclair has been gathering stories of survivors of aboriginal residential schools since his appointment as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission last summer. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Those sharing their stories will have the option to have them recorded on video or audio, Sinclair said.

About 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were placed in more than 130 residential schools across Canada from the late 1870s until the last school closed in 1996.

The schools were government-funded and meant to prevent parents from being involved in the "intellectual, cultural and spiritual development of aboriginal children," according to the commission.

Many students were forbidden to speak their native language or otherwise engage in their culture at the schools, which were run by churches.

Some were physically, sexually and psychologically abused while at the schools.

Public invited to performances

The public is also invited to attend and take in a variety of performances and other programming at venues throughout the site.

The Winnipeg Art Gallery will host an exhibit and the Manitoba Theatre for Young People will feature a world premiere by playwright Ian Ross.

Musicians including Blue Rodeo, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Susan Aglukark will also be performing.

"We want to reach out to the larger community as well, to provide opportunities for healing and greater awareness," Sinclair said.

"By sharing these experiences will we truly understand them, and in the process, help future generations move forward with respect."

The official program begins with the lighting of the sacred fire and pipe ceremony on June 16, and concludes on June 19 with a traditional powwow.

Other event highlights include a performance by Inuit throat singers and a Métis Jamboree.

The TRC was established as a result of the 2007 Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

The mandate is to inform all Canadians about what happened in the 150-year history of the residential schools "and inspire a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships."

The commission is the first its kind in the world to focus specifically on abuse against children of a specific race, said Sinclair.