The Indian Residential School exhibit in the Museum Of Anthropology can be thought of as a collection of testimonies for more intimate purposes; those who visit this exhibition will find themselves taking part in a very personal interaction with the survivors and descendants of the residential schools. As I was flipping through the memory book, which is used to provide observers of the exhibits a place to share their thoughts and feelings, I noticed that one person mentioned how translations in other languages would have been beneficial. This prompted me to think: what kinds of audience are invited to partake in testimonial processes?

Naomi Angel reminds us that testimonies are a reciprocal process; in order for testimonies to be made, there must be someone at the other end, ready to listen and hear what the person has to say. Mutual exchanges are necessary in order to be able to express and understand. However, language barriers can often get in the way of this process. From what I have observed, IRS redress has mainly taken place in the English language. Of course, Indigenous groups can share their language through songs and prayers, but English is the dominant language in testimonial processes. The Canadian TRC website prompts visitors to pick a language before entering the site, the options being either French or English. It makes sense to communicate by using the “official” languages of Canada, as a broader audience can be reached, but unfortunately, it means that certain groups will be excluded.

I think of my parents as I write this. With a very limited understanding of English, how well would they be able to comprehend the content of testimonies and participate in the collective process of redress? A limited capacity for French or English should not prevent people from fully understanding and experiencing the testimonies that are being made. Given the diverse ethnic makeup of Canada, I think that the exhibits such as the one at MOA, or the operations of the TRC, should strive to be more accommodating so that more people will be able to participate. Providing translations can be a step towards inclusion. Clearly, lots of people are interested in the history of the IRS, as the memory book was filled with comments written in different languages. While institutions and organizations may not have intended to exclude certain groups of people, language barriers can reinforce the dynamics of colonial power, and ultimately be counterproductive to goals of understanding, reconciliation and empowerment.