Recently I visited the Belkin Gallery, where an exhibit on the Residential Schools (that were a common part of Canadian culture for many decades) was being held. Many of the works of art were astounding and were incredible insights into the more artistic ways in which people affected by the schools expressed themselves.
Coming from a culture that is very different, there are a surprising amount of similarities between stories that I have heard growing up in my culture(s). The way in which Aboriginal children were ‘re-educated’ and brought up in a ‘proper’ way is oddly reminiscent of the way in which Filipino children were ‘re-educated’ by the Spanish. The vision held by many at the time: that Aboriginal culture was inferior, is also very reminiscent of many of the cultures that I have lived in and come across.
A particular piece of art that stood out to me was “The Ghost Confined to the Chair” by Beam Dick. The piece was a type of compilation. A rusting school chair stood on it’s own, with an Native people’s mask and a copy of the ‘Indian Act’ sitting on the chair. The back of the chair was peeling back to reveal an Aboriginal drawing. This piece spoke to me and, in my opinion, showed the way in which the culture was oppressed very well.
The Native people’s of Canada had their culture’s torn away from them and were forced to adapt to a completely foreign culture of church, and in many cases abuse and sexual violence. Another piece that perfectly captured this sentiment was “Be a Good Girl” by Tania Wilford. It is a painting that depicted rows and rows of girls sitting either praying or working at sewing machines. These children were forced into work and practicing a religion that was completely new to them.
From a literary standpoint I think this gallery is a very good view into the emotions and consequences of the Residential School programs. In one corner of the exhibit stood a giant wall with writings from people affected by the schools. Many of the words are not in traditional writing format. From “Academic Writing: An Introduction” by Giltrow, Gooding, Burgoyne, and Sawatsky we can see that no genre or dialect is better than another; and that it all depends on the situation.
I think this is very prevalent here. The brief way in which the sentences are written make for a short and powerful sentence that is even more affective than it would be if it were an essay. Messages depicting the deaths and consequences of Residential Schools line these walls.
Although many of these works lack writing, the paintings themselves are powerful, and the descriptions that are mounted beside the works of art offer an insight. Personally, living on in Vancouver as a small child when I had no idea of the larger issues of life, seeing that these Residential Schools were only halted in the last 20 years is truly astounding. However, I do admire the way in which the current administration is drawing attention to their predecessors faults and are working to ameliorate the situation.