Residential school survivor makes reconciliatory invitation as he leads the Nishga'a Fore canoe during the Official Opening of the Truth and Reconciliation Canada (TRC)'s National Event on Tuesday

VANCOUVER, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - On Tuesday, September 17 at 9:00am, Nishga'a tribe member and residential school survivor Alex Watts will embark on his most noteworthy canoe "journey" to date. He will lead the "Nishga'a Fore" in the TRC's "All Nations Canoe Gathering," the event's official opening. Not only will Alex be joined by tribe members who have impacted his life, his canoe will have one paddler that stands out-Union Gospel Mission outreach worker, Reverend Fari Ghaem-Maghami. The profound gratitude for the impact Fari made on Alex's life led to the invitation to join a cultural tradition during the landmark Canadian event, tangibly demonstrating reconciliation, through their unique friendship.

Alex's newfound forgiveness, friendships and his last five-years of sobriety are nothing short of a miracle, considering his first 46 years.

Alex's parents died before he knew them. At age eight, he was taken from his extended family and put in a residential school. It was there Alex faced profound horrors that no child should face.

TO CONTINUE READING ALEX'S HEART-WARMING STORY: http://www.ugm.ca/media-centre/residential-school-survivor-who-found-recovery-and-reconciliation-leads-nishga%E2%80%99a-canoe-on-tuesday-unexpected-paddler-inv

SOURCE: Union Gospel Mission

Interview contact: Keela Keeping, Union Gospel Mission, [phone], [email protected], Twitter @UGM, UGM.ca; All Nations Canoe Gathering Event info: http://www.myrobust.com/websites/vancouver/index.php?p=731