Melissa Lee

The above picture represents a before and after shot of a young Indian boy during his entrance into the Regina Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan in 1874. Notice how different he looks, in fact, he looks completely foreign. Identity and culture are what defines us and our communities, and what we share and take pride in. No matter what era, one could not tolerate the idea of being taken away from their families and being forced into cultural and religious assimilation. Unfortunately, this has been the disturbing reality for Indians in Canada, and has resulted in long-term negative effects, most importantly, the loss of sense of heritage, towards the Indians and their community.

In “The Eyes of Children”, broadcasted in 1962 by CBC Television, one can take observations on what life was like at the residential schools, excluding the shocking abuse, of course, since it was broadcasted on television with intention to promote. Though there is no showing of the abuse and horrible living conditions, one can still draw out how the children have completely become another identity, the dominant White identity; citing the bible, praying before bed, dressed in uniforms, singing Christmas songs, and being taught to worship Jesus, to make sacrifices, and much more.

I felt an intensely emotional atmosphere when I stepped into the Belkin Art Gallery this Wednesday to look at the exhibit, “WITNESS: Art and Canada’s Indian Residential Schools“, being surrounded by the very visual, both bold and abstract artwork that represented the haunting life of the Indians in Canadian residential schools. Gina Laing, one of the many artists, had the essential purpose of making her art, not only for self-healing during her psychiatric rehabilitation in the mid-nineties, but to also “educate people”. Before I went to this event, I can say I was only briefly addressed of the issue concerning Indian residential schools, but now I’ve learned and also visually imagined the intimate details.

There was one particular artwork that stood out to me, and as a result got me reflecting on whether the government truly does feel any sympathy or sincere regret for what they’ve caused towards the Indians. Chris Bose’s film “Savage Heathen” seems to criticize the heartfeltness of Stephen Harper’s apology in 2007, emphasizing his boring business-like tone and the choice of language he used to deemphasize the horrid facts and effects. “‘Some’ of these children died “, for instance, when in fact over 3000 have, from the primary cause of diseased dormitories, which, if had been mentioned, would have revealed the horrid living conditions, but was chosen not to be mentioned). Either it is only because Harper did not have much knowledge about these schools that he is stating such an apology, which is unlikely, or it is because he, representing the government, is too ashamed to own up to it properly and doesn’t want to draw too much responsibility if he overdid his speech. In addition to this, afterwards, Harper has slashed budget funds on Indian organizations. An apology is only good if there is relevant behaviour that follows it. Clearly, we can see that Harper has viewed the Indians in complete disregard by behaving how he has. This no longer applies to just Indians anymore, but all Canadian citizens now too. There are also non-Aboriginal Canadian children living in poverty conditions, cutting only Indian child care organizations still delineate the same affect to Canada as a whole nation. Needless to say, we are being ruled by an uncaring, close-minded government.