I think this is one of the most important news stories in this country in a long time. I'm a mid-thirties white guy who attended a mix of catholic, public and private schools in Alberta when I was growing up, and I was never taught anything close to the realities of what happened in our country and at those schools.
I spent some time last night reading survivor accounts, as well as the sort of counterpoints (child death rates, etc.) and trying to reconcile and reflect on my views on this issue. Prior to this, I would have said changing names of historic bridges or schools is silly, that the past can't be fairly judged using the lens of present day morality. This discovery changes that though, and no doubt there will be more to come. I hope for others in my cohort, who have been able to plead ignorance or believe in Canada's history as we were taught it also see this discovery as the smoking gun, that provides credibility and perspective to the indigenous relationship with Canada.
I don't know what this will mean for the future of our country, and reconciliation and all that but hopefully it helps to start the conversation, or at least provoke some sympathy from the otherwise indifferent Canadians not unlike myself. I also think blaming the catholic church only is a bit of a cop out, as if it somehow absolves Canada from their role in this.
|