The history of Canada’s residential-school system is so tragic that its repercussions can hover over the families of its survivors like an immense shadow, perceived but never discussed. Such was the case for Corey Payette, who decided to honour his […]
Post Tagged with: "Residential School"
A good education is important today
— by Clarence Tomatuk — Long ago I went to school – not at Old Factory in James Bay, nor in Wemindji – but somewhere far away. My family lived at Old Factory on an island on James Bay before […]
Trudeau government continues to hide evidence of abuses at St. Anne’s Residential School
Survivors of the notorious St. Anne’s Residential School in Fort Albany, Ontario, returned to Ottawa demanding justice on January 15. “No child should ever have to live through the horrors that we did at St. Anne’s,” survivor Stella Chapman told […]
Canadian Geographic and Google launch residential schools education project
Within the span of a few minutes, students can travel from the first residential school in Brantford, Ontario, through to residential schools in Amos, Quebec, all the way to Kamloops, BC. Along the way, they’ll learn about government objectives behind […]
The will of the people
Though it’s hard to see the trees for the forest as they say, a few trees stand out, such as the positive response of football fans to being welcomed to unceded Algonquin territory during opening ceremonies of the Grey Cup […]
The Gookumnouch Council shares life teachings
When Irene Bearskin House was 10 years old, she learned in school that the fiddle wasn’t an instrument from her own culture. She became curious: what was played in Cree culture? Bearskin House asked one of her grandmothers, a […]
Bearing witness
I received a note from my sister Janie Wesley this past week that included an historic document. Her message asked me to look at the image of a typewritten telegram or letter that was sent October 17, 1945. It detailed […]
Romeo Saganash’s statement on Canada 150 sideswiped by plagiarism allegation
Romeo Saganash came out swinging at Canada for celebrating 150 years of colonialism in his July 1 Globe and Mail op-ed column titled, “150 years of cultural genocide: Today, like all days, is an insult.” Unfortunately, his condemnation of Canada […]
Reconciliation totem travels from B.C. to Montreal
Charles Joseph was 13 years old when he left residential school for good. “When I got home my grandparents took my residential school clothes and burnt them in front of me. They told me, ‘That’s not you,’” Joseph said emphatically. […]
Be the hero of your story – Abel Bosum receives honourary law degree
The crowded auditorium falls silent as the speaker approaches the podium to address the graduating class of 2016. It’s a big moment but it’s one our speaker is used to. Abel Bosum has spoken all over the world, negotiated landmark […]