The Quiet Part ...
Sandra Lamouche | Article Jolene Arcand | Page Layout and Design
I distinctly remember the first time I heard about residential schools . I was attending the University of Lethbridge and an older Indigenous student told me in almost a whisper , “ They took native kids to these schools …” I remember thinking “ What is he talking about ?!” It was something I had never heard of , even though my immediate and extended family had attended residential schools and day schools . It was kept quiet . I am even old enough to have attended one myself . Reflecting back , there is no doubt that we have made progress since those pre – Truth and Reconciliation days . The history of Canada , First Nations , Métis , and Inuit people , the RCMP , and the churches is no longer a whisper but a roar , and it ’ s growing .
In 2021 , Canada officially announced the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation , a federally recognized day marked annually on September 30 . This is the same day as Orange Shirt Day , a grassroots movement started by survivor Phyllis Webstad . Professional organizations , schools , and businesses across Alberta recognized this day last year by granting a day off for reflection and remembrance of children who survived and those who didn ’ t . Unfortunately , the provincial government failed to recognize this day as a statutory holiday in Alberta , which is a shame because Alberta had the most residential schools of all the provinces in
Canada . This day was created out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
( TRC ) Calls to Action . The report used over five million documents and seven thousand survivor stories to inform the ninety-four Calls to Action .
18 | arta . net MAKING IT
Call to Action # 80 :
We call upon the federal government , in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples , to establish , as a statutory holiday , a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors , their families , and communities , and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process .
As the authors of A Knock on the Door note , “ The residential school system was based on an assumption that European civilization and Christian religions were superior to Aboriginal culture , which was seen as being savage and brutal .” We still have a euro-centric model of education here on Turtle Island ( North America ), and we often don ’ t realize the reasons behind this , the quiet part . The quiet part is the assumed superiority of European culture over those of Indigenous people . In my work in education over several decades , the few allies and champions I worked with inspired me to keep sharing Indigenous knowledge , culture , and history . Seeing the effect on others , young and old alike , even just one person , is always motivating .
It is hard to speak up against mainstream and normalized behaviours and ideas . Sometimes there are silent repercussions for wanting to change the way things are or for speaking up .
This is the quiet part , but silence speaks as well . Silence is not hiring Indigenous in workplaces and organizations , like schools . Silence is not talking about racism that our systems are built on . Silence is not including First Nations history in the curriculum . Silence is not listening to the concerns of teachers . Silence is deafening . Silence is complicity . Silencing ourselves not only hurts us , but those who we are
Monument at the Vancouver Art Gallery for the deceased children and survivors of the Canadian residential schools . Photo Credit : Nathaniel Arcand