Tag Archives: truth and reconciliation commission

Module 4: Post 5 – Truth and Reconciliation Commission Extended

It seems rather fitting that my first post and last post in this weblog are about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I began this course with no knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; however, as I have researched my chosen topic, residential schools, I have come to learn quite a lot about the Truth and Reconciliation.

Upon learning about the Commission I was impressed and proud of the Canadian Government’s efforts to seek information of the horrors children endured at residential schools with an aim towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This seemed to me to be very positive and progressive.

I am disappointed to learn this week that the Commission is, in all likelihood, expected to be given an extension of one year. This extension seems to be needed as the government has been withholding valuable documents regarding the horrid abuses committed at St. Anne’s Indian Residential School in Fort Albany, Ontario and other key documents.

I am hopeful that the Commission can continue it’s invaluable work, and that the Canadian Government can renew it’s commitment to truth and reconciliation.

Module 3 – Post 2. Teacher Newsmagazine Reflects on Truth and Reconciliation

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This month’s “Teacher” newsmagazine, released by the BCTF, highlights the TRC Education Day and is complete with lovely pictures of the event as well as thoughts of some of the primary speakers such as Dr. Bernice King. Also included are several personal reflections from teachers, learning assistance teachers, and Aboriginal support workers. I only wish that they had interviewed and shared at least one experience by youth within their article; I like to hear the ideas and opinions of students during such powerful and highly organized events.

This week was a moving experience for many, both indigenous and non-indigenous. The level of technology that was integrated into the week’s events exemplifies the state of how ingrained technology has become within our cultures. Ilona Weiss, District Aboriginal Culture teacher from Smithers, BC commented, “The TRC Education Day included panels, displays, education activities, archives, film screenings, statement gathering, expressions of reconciliation, concerts, and even a hockey game. Thousands of students and their teachers came to learn about this important part of our history.”

Like a bad stain, avoiding the subject or covering it over doesn’t make it disappear. Many people are now coming to grips with how institutions have negatively affected entire communities and are now reflecting on how create positive change within current frameworks of education. Engagement through technology appears to be at the forefront of many such approaches as demonstrated during the TRC week.

Mel Burgess.

Module #3 – Post #5: A.I.R.S. Art Project

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As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Week in Vancouver this past September, survivors of the Alberni Indian Residential School were honoured in a ceremony that formally announced the return of an important link to their past: their art.

The former art teacher at the school had kept approximately 80 pieces of artwork created by students over 40 years ago, which were bequeathed to the University of Victoria upon his death. As part of the TRC initiative, the university set out to locate the surviving artists and their families to return the works to their rightful owners.

As Chief Councillor Jeff Cook acknowledges in his speech, the art classroom was, for many children, the only escape from the regimented schedule and demands of life in a residential school. Considering that many children upon first arriving at a residential school could not speak English (or French), art provided them with an opportunity to express themselves non-verbally. From the collection that the university acquired, several recurring themes and images appear, from depictions of their communities, the land and way of life, to expressing emotions surrounding life in the residential school.

The artwork not only provides us with a greater sense of how children perceived their experiences at residential schools, but as Cook points out, is valuable for the survivors to confront as a means of reconciling their pasts.

Watch the entire ceremony here. The presentation by the University of Victoria and Chief Councillor Jeff Cook begins around the 21:45 mark.

Module 2: Post 5 – Apology by Prime Minster Stephen Harper to the Residential School Survivors

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In June 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially apologized to the Indigenous peoples of Canada for removing children from their homes and forcing them to attend residential schools in an effort to assimilate Indigenous children into the dominant culture.

In his apology Harper acknowledges that the residential school system was created on the assumption that Indigenous languages and culture were inferior to the dominant culture. He noted that this assumption/belief was wrong and had caused harm to Indigenous communities.

Harper also includes in his apology statistics regarding the number of schools, locations of schools as well as the involvement of various Christian churches in the running of the school.

What is curious to me is Harper’s statement that ‘some’ of these children died whilst attending residential schools. In many reports the death rate at residential schools was of serious concern. It has been noted that due to poor sanitation, hygiene, and access to medical care, death rates at residential schools was on average around 25 – 30%. Often times, the practice was to send children who were critically ill home. In some schools the death rate of students who returned home was as high as 74%.

Harper goes on to recognize the damaging effects of the residential school system on individuals, families and Indigenous communities. He then apologizes for ‘Canada’s role in the Indian Residential Schools System.’

Harper ends his speech with a discussion of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its role in educating all Canadians on residential schools and forming a new relationship between Canada’s Indigenous peoples and Canadians.

Module 1 – Post 3 – Week of Reconciliation

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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.