Monique Gray Smith and author of “Speaking Our Truth” came out with a youtube video on how to talk to kids about residential schools. The post is recent because of the discovery of all the unmarked graves that have been found and in response to the first 215 found on T’Kemlups te secwepemc former residential school site.
Her advice for our littlest citizens is to create a circle and tell them that for a long time the indigenous children were taken away. Depending on the age you can talk about the genocide and atrocities. She recommends authors rather than books. Authors such as Julie Flett, Christy Jordan Fenton, the late Olemaun, Margaret Pokiak Fenton, Tasha Spillet, Jenny, Kay Dupris, Katherina Vermette, Cynthia Leitich-Smith, Tracy Sorell, David A. Robertson, Richard Van Camp, Dallas Hunter, Nicole Nedhert, Karie Newman, Christie Hudson, Tanya Talega, Cherie Demeline, Eden Robinson, Tracey Lindberg, Louise Erdrich, Helen Knott, Teresa-Mailhot, Waubgeshig Rice, Drew Hayden Taylor, Thomas King, Richard Wagamese.
All of these authors’ residential schools and legislation that has impacted the families and the ripple effects. The relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. Monique continues to tell us that change is incumbent upon us as citizens in Canada. That the reality is that we are only beginning this journey to heal and to understand. To uphold dignity and move forward means we all have a role in that.
She asks us as adults having conversations with the classes, friends and children, What is your role? And to be ready, because when the children ask you, and they will, that you will be ready to have these conversations.
Monique encourages us to have humility as there is a lot that we don’t know and more that we need to do.