Watching the documentary titled, “Picking up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket” was incredibly eye opening and offered me perspective on many things I had not considered. While I feel I have been an ally and an empathetic listener to stories of residential schools, I am not sure that I have paid enough attention to the actions of myself and the actions of my ancestors. I am not sure I have spent enough time reflecting on the actions I can take as an educator or understanding the reasons behind some of the Indigenous programs we have in place in our schools. I have always prided myself on being kind, respectful, and caring, but I am not sure that is enough.
This documentary follows the creation of an amazing piece of art that is constructed of artifacts from residential schools across Canada. While one man is constructing the blanket, his wife is travelling across the country gathering pieces and speaking to residential school survivors. Hearing their stories and witnessing their pain while artifacts are being gathered connects and ties the stories with the pieces. The blanket is not just a blanket full of items, it is a blanket that tells thousands of stories and represents the pain, loss, and anguish that so many children suffered through.
The survivors’ stories range from pain, hate, mistrust, and fear to forgiveness, hope, and moving forward. This serves as a reminder to me that trauma manifests differently in everyone. Many children were stripped from their families, never getting a chance to be brought up in their culture with familial love surrounding them. Many were taught to be ashamed of their culture, of themselves, of their families. Many passed on their trauma, their anguish, and their shame to their children. This is multi-generational trauma, and this is where we are right now. The realization that trauma has been passed down is something than many others still do not recognize. So, this is where we, as allies, need to listen to the truth and do our best to reconcile the wrong doings of those before us. This is where we need to bear witness. This is where we need to speak up to help undo the judgemental and ignorant viewpoints of those who continue to turn a blind eye.
Residential schools stripped children of their culture and made them feel ashamed of who they were. One of the ways that schools are trying to correct the mistakes of the past is by having Indigenous support workers and Indigenous cultural programming. Students with Indigenous background spend time being reunited with language, art, cultural practices, stories, food, and have opportunities to engage in activities such as drumming, dancing, and canoeing. This is NOT a privilege or a reward for good behaviour. This is a RIGHT. We, as educators, must be respectful and allow this learning and reunification to take place otherwise we are no better than our ancestors. These are sacred times and activities that will hopefully lead to a re-birth and a re-ignition of pride and love for a culture that was almost lost.
It is time that we bear witness not only to the past but also to the future. We must use the mistakes of the past to set a path of reconciliation. The Witness Blanket is a reminder of the horrific acts that took place but is also a symbol of resilience and connection. As the stories and the artifacts are woven together, they form a united front whose strength comes from truth telling and connection. This blanket represents never forgetting the pain of the past and having hope for future generations.
As I reflect on my own practice, I must be constantly aware of my own privilege, my own positionality, and my own biases. My own family’s connection to residential schools is something I am still trying to sort out. I have many unanswered questions (as seen in the scribbled notes to the left). It isn’t enough to be aware, though, I must act. I must take the time not only to reflect on my practice and history, but to also be reflexive. Am I teaching from a colonial lens? Am I empathetic to cultural differences or am I impatient? Am I judging or am I accepting? Am I leading with an open heart and an open mind or am I making assumptions and being closed off? Am I only listening to their stories or am I bearing witness? Am I looking within? It is not enough to know anymore. I must do better.
*Two excerpts from watching “The Witness Blanket” that got me thinking more in depth about my ancestors as immigrants. Reflecting on my past will only move me forward. Light and Dark.
