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Witness Blanket

Witness Blanket Display
Yesterday the Wesley Multicultural Group had a presentation on the horrific events that happened at the Native Residential Schools in Canada years ago.  We were invited to attend the presentation at the Hamilton Central Public Library I was impressed with their upscale boardroom on the fifth floor.  I and 30 group members were also glad to see former UNH’s and current HPL staff member Lorraine Brown as our presenter.  Lorraine greeted us with open arms and warned us certain topics we are about to hear will be upsetting.  The two hour presentation/lecture started with a slide show of images of native children in the residential schools, Lorraine continued by explaining how the Canadian government at the time forcibly removed the children from their families and why it was done.  Lorraine did an excellent unbiased lecture on the subject as I watched the reaction and questions from the other members.  After a coffee break we all went downstairs to the main floor to check out the Witness Blanket exhibit. When it was all over I said goodbye to Lorraine and left the group for home.
The Governments goal was to commit genocide and I’m glad to say they did not succeed.  The scars and abuse those children went through is terrible, today the survivors are Native Elders and they finally began to share their stories and encouraged not to hide in shame.   
Through the years I’ve heard the USA Govt. tried to kill off the American Natives while in Canada they tried to starve them the death.  The Aborigines in Australia also went through the same hardships.  As a child I never experienced the residential school system but I can remember my father sternly warn me if I didn’t behave I would be sent to “boarding school” he never fully explained what this place was. I thought it was a bad place similar to a jail or a haunted house and it scared the shite out of me.  Needless to say his words kept me in line.
I’ve always had respect and empathy for native elders, many many moons ago when my father and I visited his friends and family on the reservation I would offer to help the neighboring native elders by fetching a pail of water from the well, doing menial chores or going to the store for them.  The Native Elders only spoke in Ojibway (rarely in English).  It’s funny I can understand some of the language but can’t speak it.  Figure that one out!  Even today in the KMHC building I’m available for Native Elders who need assistance ie: help carrying groceries, doing errands or just listening and being supportive when one is upset.   I should take a course in volunteer peer counseling.   :)

http://witnessblanket.ca/ 

Tk

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