Monday, February 6, 2023

For Truth And Reconciliation

Early on, there were voices against the residential school system in Canadian society. One of the strongest was that of Doctor Peter Bryce, the chief medical officer for Indian Affairs. What he saw during inspections alarmed him, and he spoke out about it. He was largely ignored. 

Today his grave at Beechwood Cemetery here in Ottawa is a place of particular significance in a cemetery filled with national figures, decorated and honoured by indigenous peoples, even featuring a mailbox where letters are left by visitors.


A photograph that speaks volumes: survivors of the residential school program reclaiming their art.


This is the ceremonial headdress of Phil Fontaine, a former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and a survivor of the residential schools.


The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was headed by Murray Sinclair, an Indigenous judge. The Commission gathered evidence and took testimony from survivors of the program, and put forward a definitive report, stressing actions that must be undertaken to make amends, and to move forward together. His quote, seen here, is a wise one.


Following the First World War, Indigenous veterans started working with chiefs in political organization. 


A series of items are displayed around this centrepiece- a powow dress.


Elijah Harper was a member of the provincial legislature in Manitoba who stood on principle against the Meech Lake Accord, a proposed constitutional amendment.


The Oka Crisis rose up at this time as well- a standoff between the Canadian military, Quebec police, and Mohawk protestors standing their ground over plans by a community for development of disputed land.


Today I leave off with works by First Nations artists.

42 comments:

  1. The German word is "Versöhnung" and we need this all so badly. Nice start into a new week, great art to end the post, too.

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  2. Good to know that there are still people advocating for Indians at the time like Dr Peter Bryce

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  3. When I was a child I thought that "Indians" only existed in America and still ran around with their feather hats. Meanwhile I have learned much more and even seen an Indian reserve in Arizona it was so sad and on top there was written not to buy anything from them. Of course I did the opposite and we bought beautiful jewelry ! That was in 1971 when we were in the States for the first time. It changed fortunately !!

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  4. Hello,
    Great exhibit. I like the ceremonial headdress and the art work. Take care, have a happy week!

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  5. ...native people always got the short stick.

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  6. Truth is often hard to come by and reconciliation even harder it seems.

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  7. That is a beautiful head dress. Nice exhibits especially the costumes.

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  8. A difficult history that should not have happened.

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  9. The Heard Museum here has an exhibit dedicated to the flaws of the residential schools.

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  10. I learned more from bush pilots about the residential school system that I was actually teaching in.

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  11. There were and are bad times wrt indigenous peoples.

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  12. Wonderful post and photos ~ on Truth and Reconciliation ~ may our world learn someday to do peace.

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  13. Nice exhibit. The ceremonial headdress is beautiful.

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  14. Oh those residential schools were such a horrible thing (common on this side of the border at the time also, as you know). Dr Bryce was an honorable man and how sad that his sane voice was ignored. I am glad to know about how much Canada has done to mitigate the damage done. Long time coming (and, but it seems more than I think we have here.)

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  15. Canada's treatment of Indigenous peoples still requires work. That we still cannot get clean water to remote areas is shameful, especially when I hear of continuous waste in our government. Thanks for posting on the work that has been done so far, William. I just wish it did not move so slowly.

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  16. this all speaks volumes of the injustice that has been done and the work that still needs to be done.

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