Is documentary/interview made by Nadia McLaren in honour of her grandmother, Theresa McCraw and other elders (of the past and present) that attended Indian Residential Schools. Many survivors share their stories throughout the video, all of which are impacting. For me Auntie’s message resonated the most because even years later as she speaks about her experience at residential school and of those that abused her and the other children, she is mindful of what she says about both her abusers and in not using God’s name in vain. I find this says a lot about who Auntie is because her abusers represented God and used His name in vain, while abusing their power and authority over children. Auntie says that kindness and truth are of the utmost importance to her. The significance of the title, Muffins for Granny is from a story McLaren’s grandmother, McCraw told her about a continual experience during her attendance at St. Joseph’s Residential School. The story of the white children that attended the school during the same period as Indigenous children attended; the white kids would receive muffins an then throw the muffin papers on the ground. The Indigenous children would then pick them up and eat the papers because they were never given muffins. The elder’s stories are told between scenes of McLaren making muffins for her granny. The impact this documentary had on me was the senselessness of it all and the many questions of why and how anyone could ever treat another human the way Indigenous people were treated–especially children! They were babies, so young and innocent. It was horrific in stripping away Indigenous peoples culture, history, and language. but why the atrocious mistreatment??? As a member of society I can be an advocate of truth and reconciliation.
*Note: This documentary is what inspired my journey towards reconciliation assignment–my starting point.