In September our class took time to focus on the issue of residential schools in Canada and the TRC. What had marked me the most was the Belkin Gallery (at UBC), which incorporated art and history, creating a poignant combination of works that held significant meaning. The exhibition ‘Witnesses’ was held to “honour this request to show works that might point to healing and the future while still telling some of the stories that needed telling about the schools” (Watson, 5). In many ways, it did just that, but the trauma and bitterness associated with many of the artworks left me feeling like the road to reconciliation was still very long.

Revisiting the issue of the TRC brought to light a new perspective. The MOA’s exhibition, on the same subject, displayed quotes, photos, and official statements of apology. The collection made me question the significance of audience and the purpose of displaying the work. The apologies, including one from the Pope (CTV news, 2009) and other figures of religious or legal authority evoked a sense of regret on behalf of their establishments. Were the apologies to only those affected by the trauma of residential schools? Perhaps not. Maybe the apologies were aimed at a much larger community, and many reflected the regret of the establishments as a whole rather than those only involved in causing the harm to those in residential schools.

Another thing that struck me was the varying opinions in the quotes about people’s experiences in residential schools. I noticed that there were extremes in terms of experiences- some hold positive memories of their childhood, and others describe only horrific stories. Why were some schools worse than others? How do those who were not greatly affected feel now about the residential schools? Fortunate, most likely, but it would be interesting and informative to learn more about the balance of those who faced struggle and trauma, and those who did not.