Weblog to Research Statement – Part 2

I posted one prior to this (although for some reason I was posting in last year’s blog…I should pay attention to dates), however after discussion with Heather and her trepidation about interviews and their ability to be collected ethically and the fact that I would have needed to go through the ethics committee, I have not changed topics but have changed some format and made so tweaks…so without further adieu….

The St. Joseph’s Mission School (also know as Cariboo Residential School, or St. Joseph’s Residential School)

One of Canada’s longest running residential schools, St. Joseph’s also has one of the most horrific pasts.  In May of this year, survivors met for a reunion and the laying of two monuments to remember the past.

I began in the Cariboo district about 8 years and one of my first jobs was to teach social studies.  One of the units was on residential schooling.  I didn’t particularly care for the textbook’s explanation , nor did seem localized.  I began a discussion with one of the local Aboriginal Education teachers and was told of two local residential schools.  After some preliminary research I began to teach the unit.  Low and behold several of my students had relatives or knew someone who had gone to either the Nazko School or St. Joseph’s.  The stories the kids told me of their family members and the plight they faced was harrowing.

In June of 2008, Stephen Harper stood in front of the nation and apologized for the misdeeds of government.  He offered solace, understanding, and reparations.  The implications of residential schools are still not fully realized.  The distrust of schooling as a result of residential schools will take generations to overcome, if ever.  The toll these schools took on families is profound and slowly families rebuild.  However, the toll took on individuals will never be understood.  Lives were destroyed.

St. Joseph’s is one of the few schools to have criminal charges stem from its treatment, yet the public outcry was muffled.  People talk of the school, and know survivors, but the conversation is muted.  I plan to research the residential school in BC, with a focus on St. Joseph’s.  By learning the past, I hope to understand my students better and improve their future.

My project will consist of a movie which chronicles a brief history of residential schools in BC.  Then the history and allegations of St. Joseph’s will be examined. Finally, the third part will examine what has come out as a result of the apology and the lawsuits, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  I will look at possible obstacles that still need to be overcome.

I look forward to comments or feedback.