"This week I focus on serious topics: apologies, forgiveness and Indian residential schools in Canada. The Reverend Dr. Barbara Smith-Moran, a Concord resident and member of the town's chapter of Communities for Restorative Justice (c4rj) is my connection. Last Thursday I was invited to hear Smith-Moran speak about her volunteer role in the Canadian Truth & Reconciliation Commission's National Event, which was held in Winnipeg June 16 through 19. The event stemmed from a legal settlement between the Canadian government and thousands of victims who claimed they were physically, emotionally and sexually abused while students at the government-run Indian residential schools.

Between the years 1831 and 1996 the Canadian government, in partnership with the Church of England, the Presbyterian, United Church of Canada, Methodist, Roman Catholic and Baptist churches and the Salvation Army operated 130 Indian residential schools. These schools were mandatory for aboriginal children from ages 5 through 15. There were no bittersweet farewells between parent and child, and parents were not allowed to visit the schools. The children were plucked from their homes by staffers and distributed to various schools throughout the country. Care was taken to separate siblings and other members from the same tribe. Once in their respective schools, the children were forbidden to speak their native language, practice their customs and traditions and dress. The children were required to participate only in Westernized customs

"They were made to 'kill the Indian in the child,'" said Smith-Moran, quoting from 1920s literature of the schools' missions. "They suffered the loss of their identity, family, culture and language,"

Discipline at many of the schools was intense and failure to comply often had lasting consequences. An artist of the Winnipeg event painted an image of his grandmother's maimed hand. As a girl, the grandmother was caught speaking her native Inuit. She was thrown down a flight of stairs as punishment and permanently injured her hand. Medical assistance was denied.

Smith-Moran said great care was taken to make the Winnipeg event, which is one of seven such events to take place throughout Canada over the next five years, resemble First Nation traditions. A sacred fire was lit. Dream catchers hung from tents inside which chairs were arranged in circles. Survivors were encouraged to sit in a circle and take turns sharing their stories. Smudgers - First Nation members who rub a mixture of herbs and incense on someone to bring positive feelings - elders and water carriers assisted those overcome with grief."

Get the Story:
Maureen C. Belt: Punishing Native American Children (The Concord Patch 8/24)