I am writing you to encourage you to adapt the exhibition Residential Schools: The Red Lake Story, which you presented last year, to an on-line virtual exhibit.

You and your staff put in such a tremendous effort to present the exhibition Residential Schools: The Red Lake Story to citizens and visitors of Red Lake last spring. My classes and other at the high school greatly benefited from a view of this part of our history that has been silent. It was very beneficial for students to have an opportunity to talk about the experiences of their families and it was important for non-Aboriginal students to realize the sufferings of the children in residential schools and the impact on today's generations.

By going on-line, I feel you could reach an even wider audience. There are many Canadians who are not aware of the specifics of this part of Canadian history. Your exhibit not only answers the 5 W's but, it also puts a human face on the residential schools program. This program has afected the citizens of Red Lake. More people need to know this.

A virtual exhibit will also make it easier for future school children in our area to learn about this time period. Classes are not always at liberty to get to the museum whereas a virutal exhibit is just a click away.

So, in conclusion, I encourage you and your staff to make the Residential Schools: The Red Lake Story a virtual exhibit. I see only benefits to our communit, our students, our citizens.

Sincerely,

Catherine Mochrie

Urban Aboriginal Program

Red Lake District High School