Tag Archives: residential schools

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission – Module 1

Residential schools have left their mark on generations of First nations, Metis and Inuit Children, with over 150,000 individuals passing through these government-funded, church-run schools. These schools eliminated parental involvement in the intellectual, cultural and spiritual development of Aboriginal children and in countless instances students were subject to emotional and physical abuse. Today there is an estimated 80,000 former students living with the hurt that they suffered at the hands of the people her were charged with “educating” them.

As part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada was established. The TRC has a mandate “to learn the truth about what happened in residential schools and to inform all Canadians about what happened in the schools.” “The Commission hopes to guide and inspire First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples and Canadians in a process of truth and healing leading toward reconciliation and renewed relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.”

This past week saw the TRC’s British Columbia National Event running on the PNE grounds from September 18-21. Throughout the 4 days there were a variety of both private and public sharing circles, information displays, videos, an Education Day for students, and a culminating Reconciliation Walk taking place today in Downtown Vancouver.

You can visit the TRC’s website here: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=3

Module 1 – Post 1: Residential Schools

Leave a reply

Reading the Hare article pinched a nerve for me. It reminded me of a made for TV Canadian movie called Where the Spirit Lives (click to view in new window) which came out in 1989. I remember my impression of the movie as a young boy coming to know the dark yet true past of Canadian Heritage. As a Canadian born Chinese, who’s great great grandfather helped build the railroad, I think it made me somewhat more sensitive to this “painful legacy” that Canadians share.

Having watched the movie again in adulthood and learning about Indigenous Knowledge in Education, I think the film does a remarkable job in depicting what these schools were like, for students and teachers. I’m sure much worse things happened that could not be presented in the movie, but it fits in with what Hare describes as “the denigration of indigenous knowledge that was embedded within traditional cultural practices, values, ways of living, and languages…and the inter-generational trauma it (residential schools) left for individuals, families, and communities.” (p. 98 & 101)

With my Christian background, it also saddens me how deceptive and powerful religious lies can be, and the danger of misguided zeal in many ‘missionary’ work – past and present. Well, I don’t have an answer for how we can learn from past mistakes, but as Lee Brown and Hare point out, there needs to be some kind of “nurturing of emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual development” that promotes, rather than destroys community. And we are starting to really learn that the old industrial-age education model is outdated and needs serious reform.

Module 1 – Post 3 – Week of Reconciliation

Leave a reply

The BCTF (British Columbia Teacher’s Federation) has sent out mass emails to all teachers in our district (sd79) about this year’s “Reconciliation Week” which actually began yesterday, September 16th, with the lighting of a fire at Ambleside Beach near the foot of the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. This event includes speeches by esteemed members of First Nations as well as Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She will be the keynote speaker at the Walk for Reconciliation on September 22, 2013.

The event is sponsored by many major corporations, and no fewer than five different Christian organizations.

Talk about coming around full circle and showing acceptance and support. Christian organizations, who were once involved in the dissolution and destruction of First Nations culture are now supporting this worthy cause.

Talk about forgiveness. First Nations people are willing to accept the support and walk together with organizations that caused them great harm. This is a courageous move on behalf of all First Nations people.

I applaud their efforts as First Nations people, together with members across community “…promote reconciliation by engaging Canadians in dialogue that revitalizes the relationships between Aboriginal peoples and all Canadians in order to build resilience.” (Vision statement)

Mel Burgess.