March 28, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
The News reads: “No apology from Pope Francis for Catholic Churches Role in Residential School Abuses.”
The Prime Minister of Canada expresses disappointment.
The story litters the written news; and the broadcasted news.
(White) journalists wearing their dress clothes that number in the hundreds report this news.
This discussion takes place on the news,
In the coffee room of us upper middle class folks,
With our spouses as we convey our sadness,
Others apathy.
For lots,
disdain that the conversation continues to exist.
To the Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation
this is big news, this is tragic.
I think back to the Grade4/5 class from reserve I worked with who had never heard of the residential school system. Kids who continue to live in its legacy.
Whose emotional, spiritual, and physical, lives continue to be dragged through this legacy.
Kids whose living quarters are in part defined by this legacy.
This legacy of hate. control. racism.
I think of the trauma, whose realities are more grim than we can comprehend.
We know the statistics, we know the research
We do not understand the lived realities.
Kids who do not know any different. Parents, kokum’s , and mosôms who do not know any different. nimosôm.
Who cannot escape the racism,
the trauma,
the inequality,
the ignorance,
or otherwise,
the reality of our neighbourhoods,
our cities,
our country.
I think of the mihcet awâsisak (many children), Kinîkihikonwak (our parents), nimosôminan (our grandfather), nohkomana (our grandmother’s) who are having this conversation.
But mostly I think of all of us who are not having this conversation, who cannot have this conversation, who do not know this is a conversation
addiction
poverty
homelessness
youth homelessness
Systemic and intentional erasure
hatred
dehumanization
extermination
genocide
I think of those who, 150 years later, are still being smothered by Duncan Campbell Scott, John A Macdonald, the Indian Agents, the nuns and the priests. Choking on the noxious air of a brick building run in the name of god.
Summer 1534: The French claim this land to be their own. New France.
"We shall take possession of this land in the name of the King of France, and we will call it New France, where we shall establish a colony that shall flourish and prosper."
— Samuel de Champlain, 1608
Winter 1635: The Roman Catholic Church and the Jesuit Establishment are dominant forces on this land
"These people are by nature kind, honest, and hospitable; they are not given to vice and live in peace, yet they are in dire need of the light of the gospel to save their souls."
— Father Paul Le Jeune, 1634.
1763: This land is claimed to be a British Colony
“The British will now administer [this land] as we see fit, for our benefit and the security of the empire." — Lord Jeffrey Amherst, British Army Officer
1844: The Baggot commission proposes assimilation by means of Residential Schools and separating children from their parents, families, and communities.
When the school is on the reserve, the child lives with its parents, who are savages, and though he may learn to read and write, his habits and training mode of thought are Indian. He is simply a savage who can read and write. It has been strongly impressed upon myself, as head of the Department, that Indian children should be withdrawn as much as possible from the parental influence, and the only way to do that would be to put them in central training industrial schools where they will acquire the habits and modes of thought of white men.
John A Macdonald- 1879
"The children of the Indians must be removed from the influence of their parents, who, being in a state of barbarism, cannot be expected to instill the habits of civilization into their children. It is therefore essential to place them in institutions where they will be taught the principles of British civilization."
— Bagot Report, 1844
1884: The creation of residential schools which are funded by the government and operated through the Roman Catholic Church and several Christian denominations. 60% of Residential Schools in Canada are operated by the Roman Catholic Church. We are banned from ceremony.
“Tobasonakuwut was called by a nun to her room, where the woman raped him. While riding him, she told him, “That’s all your people are good for..” That was only the first occassion. Other sexual offences followed, committed by men and women, both while Tobasonakwut was alone and with other children. “
Wab Kinew- The Reason you Walk, 2017
"It is unlawful for any Indian to engage in the practice of any religious ceremonies, dances, or rituals that are inconsistent with Christian practices and the European way of life." — Indian Act (Early Provisions)
1920- Indian Residential Schools become mandatory for every child between the age of 7 and 16.
"I remember the fear I felt, wondering if I would survive the next day. The priests and nuns were cruel and harsh, always finding ways to punish us. If we didn’t do what they told us, we would be beaten or locked in dark rooms. There were days when we didn’t eat anything because the food was so bad. The worst part was being separated from my family. I didn’t know when I would ever see them again." — James M., Residential School Survivor
"The nuns would beat us if we showed any emotion. We weren’t allowed to cry or laugh. If we did, we were punished. They would slap us, make us kneel for hours, and sometimes lock us in a room for days. It felt like we were invisible. No one cared about us." — Shirley L., Residential School Survivor
76 MANDATORY YEARS; 112 YEARS OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLING
383 years with the presence of god
1996- Last residential school closes
March 28, 2018 Pope Francis will not apologize for church’s role in residential school abuses.
March 29, 2018 Week two for our missing 14-year-old girl. Kokum picks up the other 4 children in her care.
