Today we looked into the history of residential schools in Canada. We noted the importance of understanding that history so we can better understand First Nations literature. We read the government and church policy of residential schools and tried to understand perspectives on both sides. We then watched two short videos. One was a propaganda video from 1955 and the second one was from a school survivor B.c. Residential School Survivor Says He Was Starved - Video . We then discussed how this history has impacted First Nations communities across Canada. We noted that the impact will take several generations of reconciliation to change. I then read a story of a young Native woman living in the north of Canada and the impact of residential schools and reserves on her life. She said it made her community feel worthless and hopeless and many of them, including herself, took drugs to escape these feelings. She now see that embracing her culture is a much better route to go and she has chosen to leave drugs behind her. It was a powerful and raw story and it was sad. I asked the students to write reflections which are due Tuesday. I will look them over and give feedback. You will be given time to use this feedback to correct any errors and resubmit it for a grade.
Homework: finish reflections- the what, the so what and the now what of your learning.
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