“The perfect place to begin is right where a teacher stands” (Blinch 2018). I began my journey towards reconciliation with an open mind, heart, and understanding. As I was examining a considerable number of resources, it came to my attention that the trauma and tragedy that Indigenous people face, are a result of past events. Events that were out of their control and forced upon them, which often left them dealing with future issues such as alcoholism, abuse, depression, and pure anger (Garnet Journey 2012). It has become apparent to me that many of these issues are a result of the Residential School System, as it has caused significant impacts to Indigenous people and their culture. My journey to reconciliation is a continued process and only began to occur with stories being told, collected, and used as a learning resource to educate. It is critical to educate the current generations so that new, inclusive, and proper understandings are carried forward into the future. Going into education, I recognized this important factor and kept it in my mind throughout my journey. My research led me into focuses mainly on the Residential School System and the effects as a result of the abuse, neglect, and separations that many, if not all, Indigenous Residential School Survivors face (Garnet’s Journey 2012). Learning from past mistakes will only provide opportunities in Canada for a more positive, accepting, and considerate society.
My journey towards reconciliation started in lecture, where we watched the video Every Child Matters: Truth – Act One, containing Shauntelle’s sharing of the slam poem “I was there”. My attention was instantly grabbed and I could not believe the power the poem held, as I tried to gain an understanding and connection to the message being portrayed. The first section that stood out to me was the statement: “And don’t tell me to shut up, because I’ve stayed quiet for too damn long” (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 2020). This is powerful because statistics have shown increases in mental health issues among Indigenous people, such as higher suicide rates (Boyden 2015). It is recognized that Survivors need a voice and need to be heard to help heal open wounds. Another important aspect from the poem explains, “I know my ancestors are still healing” (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 2020). Unfortunately, the events of the past cannot be changed and “healing will take time” (Canadian Teachers’ Federation 2016). Time will allow for individuals to understand, accept, heal, and recover from the Residential School System. Intergenerational trauma has also affected individual’s identity. Indigenous people were often confused when returning home and did not know if they should act partly white or Indigenous (Garnet’s Journey 2012). For example, Residential Schools took away the culture and language of Indigenous people (Garnet’s Journey 2012). The result of this occurrence, halts future generations to be able to learn: “Because I don’t really know my language. I don’t really know my culture, so how am I really supposed to know myself” (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 2020). This prevailing statement proves just how critical it is to understand intergenerational trauma through multiple generations. Shauntelle’s reading of the slam poem gave me a greater need to dive deeper into my journey towards reconciliation.
I continued my journey to Garnet’s testimony, where a lot of growth, learning, and understanding took place. Garnet is a Residential School Survivor who “would give anything to turn the clock back” (Garnet Journey 2012). This quote resonated with me and led me into questions I have never had, while inspiring me to continue researching. What would Canada look like if residential schools never existed? What if Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge was respected from the beginning? Garnet discusses that the “most painful experiences that the Residential School System has left […] is actually separation” (Garnet’s Journey 2012). With some families not seeing each other for nearly a decade, the separation from loved ones is a very painful process (Garnet’s Journey 2012). This is important to recognize, as the effects of the schools not only impacted mentally and physically, but also emotionally. Being away from loved ones had such an emotional strain on the Survivors, which led into future tolls on socialization. Garnet explains that the effects from Residential Schools continue to be seen in communities, through people’s behaviours and feelings (Garnet’s Journey 2012). Feelings of loneliness, fear, shame, and anger are a few of the drastic impacts these schools left (Garnet’s Journey 2012). This link to intergenerational trauma is so important in knowing “that it is a very real thing” (Boyden 2015). It is imperative to recognize these issues to create awareness and possibilities for society. I have come to the realization that I am privileged as a white individual, but it takes all Canadians to have a role in Canada for truth, healing, and reconciliation to occur (Garnet’s Journey 2012). It all comes down to education, which can include getting involved, accepting, listening, watching, or reading (Canadian Teachers’ Federation 2016). Garnet’s journey made me recognize the extreme effects of Residential Schools and made me notice the necessary need for improvement in healing, which will provide a more positive Canadian society.
The aesthetic response I chose to create is a collage, which embodies the aspects of my research that stood out to me the most. I chose pictures and words representing past moments in history, as well as, present aspects in current generations. Every one of the words on the collage are chosen and typed by me. Words that I thought were important and critical during my journey. Words that provoked emotion within me. Factors of the past include Residential Schools and the fear, neglect, abuse, and pain that Indigenous Residential School Survivors faced. Then my collage leads into strength, resilience, growth, and hope for Indigenous people and their culture. In society today we are beginning to see valuable organizations such as the Aboriginal Healing Foundation or programs including Every Child Matters. Most importantly, I wanted to portray the message that we cannot turn back time, which makes it more important to learn, grow, and educate for a more inclusive and understanding society.
As my journey towards reconciliation comes to a conclusion in this class, it is only beginning in my life, as I continue into my career as an educator. It becomes part of my responsibility to help share information and encourage the next generations to act as one. It is described: “While we cannot change history, we can learn from it and we can use it to shape our common future” (Canadian Teachers’ Federation 2016). I did not know where my journey towards reconciliation would lead me, but now that I have taken steps in the right direction my perspectives, my ideas, and my beliefs have been altered in such positive ways. There is hope when explained that “many Survivors and their descendants have retained their language and their culture and continue to work toward healing and reconciliation” (Legacy of Hope Foundation n.d.). This indicates that change and improvement in Canadian society is possible for everyone affected by past events, especially those largely impacted by the Residential School System. I am so thankful for this journey that I have been placed on, as I will only begin to use it as a resource to provide knowledge, truth, and information as an educational tool. Learning Indigenous history is critical to improve the society we live in by taking proper steps through resources, services, and support.
Resources
Blinch, M. (2018, September 29). Teaching truth and reconciliation in Canada: The perfect place to begin is right where a teacher stands. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/teaching-truth-and-reconciliation-in-canada-the-perfect-place-to-begin-is-right-where-a-teacher-stands-111061
Boyden, Joseph. (2015). First came truth. Now comes the hard part. Maclean’s. https://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/first-came-truth-now-comes-the-hard-part/
Canadian Teachers’ Federation. (2016). Truth and Reconciliation: What is it about? Imagine Action.
[Garnet’s Journey]. (2012, October 26). Children Forced to Attend Residential School. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI3NbKA228U
[Garnet’s Journey]. (2012, October 26). Garnet, full circle. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pMCKAt6rOY
Legacy of Hope Foundation. (n.d.). Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools. Generations Lost. https://legacyofhope.ca/en/generations-lost/
[National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation]. (2020, September 29). Every Child Matters: Truth – Act One. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFTHHtRy8Do