Forgiveness

[jawnbc]

Today's been an historic one in Canada. The Prime Minister, on behalf of his government, has offered an apology to persons wronged by government policy. This apology was offered to all Aboriginal persons in Canada who were stolen from their families and forced to attend Indian Residential schools. The apology was also extended to all family members--including parents, siblings, children and grandchildren--who lives were devastated by this racist and inhuman policy. You can read Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology--his excellent, comprehensive, and (to me) heartfelt apology--here.

For over 120 years--well into the 1980s, in many cases--these schools became de facto correctional institutions for Aboriginal youth. Parents who did not "agree" to send their children lost them--forever. "Agreeing" meant they might possibly see them, though rarely more than a couple of times a year. Once "enrolled" the "students" were punished for speaking their indigenous languages, practicing their indigenous faith, or grieving their families too earnestly. Most often these schools employed religious persons as "teachers", many of whom had no more than a primary school education themselves. In some parts of Western Canada, "students" left Indian Residential schools with a grade 3 education--after 12 years of "study". And many of these schools enslaved these children in industrial laundries, on farms, and as domestics, to "pay" for their "education".

Physical abuse--torture by international standards today--was common. And too often sexual abuse. The net result of all of this was often a total disruption of the normal family cycle in hundreds of Aboriginal communities. Many children never returned home. Others returned to communities with their souls ripped out. And if these "graduates" had children of their own, they had to watch as these horrors were perpetrated on their children. Many found solace in a bottle, or pipe, or rig. Much of today's stereotype of the drunken/junkie Indian is the legacy of several generations' nightmare. These were not schools....these were factories of hate.

I have a personal investment in today's apology. I have Aboriginal friends and colleagues. I have worked with and known men and women for whom the legacies of Indian Residential schools is theirs. Some attended schools, others' parents and grandparents did. And most of my friends have chosen to make healing their communities their lifework. Some do health outreach. Others agitate for policy change. And others tell.

The stories of those subjected to Indian Residential schools must be told--and heard. A decade ago I began teaching a course in social justice at a local university. Back then when students saw "Aboriginal education" listed the initial response was usually disinterest or hostility. None had read anything about Indian Residential schools during their undergraduate educations. I had them read the stories. And then their reaction was shame. And paralysis: understanding the history their disdain and rancour became a panicked fear of perpetuating the problem. And when they were able to begin talking about these issues--engaging with them, wrestling with them--most finally understood why many Aboriginal persons in Canada don't consider themselves Canadians. Why would they, when they were never treated like Canadians.

I taught that course for perhaps the last time in Fall '07. By then about half had already learnt about these schools during their undergrads. Still many were gutted after reading about what we did. But I also gave them readings about people working for solutions--Aboriginal educators and allies who have accepted the challenge of healing. We watched a video about Aboriginal youth in Edmonton accessing education and support through an alternative high school. And from these more recent accounts, they saw possibility.

Of those perhaps 600-700 students at the university, none has held onto the belief that today's challenges faced by Aboriginal communities are indigenous. And that's why the stories are so important. One of the best resources is Celia Haig-Brown's Resistance and Renewal: Surviving the Indian Residential School (1988). It contains first-person accounts of the Kamloops Indian Residential school. I encourage you to read it as well.

Comments

Late, but never too late

[easy-b-jesus.livejournal.com]

I knew Australia and Canada had many things in common. I'm sure, in your line of study, your knowledge of the Australian experience is better than mine of Canada's.

What mystifies me is how each of these experiences stand alone, and only academics and social workers are sharing the story. How is it that our politicians seem to be so isolated as if their problem is unique? Perhaps its the burden of responsibility that makes it hard.

As you said, after some exposure to the stories its impossible to hold the belief that the problems in aboriginal communities are all their own. Yet in Australia there is a new militaristic law and order campaign reigning over the disintegrated communities as if misbehaviour is the problem. Sad.

Re: Late, but never too late

[jawnbc]

I should have been a bit clearer in my post: my students were training to teach in public schools here in BC, both elementary and secondary. As citizens I think everyone needs to know these stories; as teachers each will be uniquely empowered to disseminate them. And many elect in that course to develop a curriculum around First Nations history (or science or music) in BC.

Not all, but some. It's a start.

On the more personal level I've become inclined to respond to ways to such ignorance:

good day: have you ever read or heard the first person experiences of someone who went to Indian Residential school?

bad day: you have no idea what you're talking about.

Re: Late, but never too late

[easy-b-jesus.livejournal.com]

Good day bad day....
I think you are right - starting with truth for children is the best practice. Good man