Comparable to the (official denial) trade value in progress sewing actions I wrote about last week, Project of Heart is a commemoration project which combines an artistic activity with history education. Project of Heart aims to educate Canadians about the lasting impact of the Indian Residential School system. The project places an emphasis remembering those … Continue reading Project of Heart: Hands on History
Interactive Canadian History: Sewing Responses to the Past
This week the archive I work at hosted a sewing action as part of the (official denial) trade value in progress project. This project engages people in discussion and reflection relating to reconciliation, truth telling, and Canada's history of colonialism and Residential Schools. This interactive art project stimulates discussion about Canada's history while allowing participants … Continue reading Interactive Canadian History: Sewing Responses to the Past
Digitization and Holistic Approaches to Data Sets
Over the past two years I have spent a lot of time working with Residential School quarterly return reports. These reports were completed four times a year by School principals and contain the names, admission date, ages and discharge information of the students who were in attendance at the school. The set of returns we … Continue reading Digitization and Holistic Approaches to Data Sets
Archaeology and Residential Schools
This week two archaeologists stopped by the archive I work at. These particular archaeologists have in recent years been focusing on Residential Schools. Prior to their visit I had not considered the tremendous value that archaeology can add to ongoing research relating to Residential Schools. The majority of my work focus on textual records, photographs, … Continue reading Archaeology and Residential Schools
Other Duties as Assigned: Cemetery Maintenance
Part of my job this week included a number of 'other duties as assigned' tasks. One of such tasks included assisting with cleanup of the Residential School cemetery which is on site where I work. Since I like gardening this was actually a nice afternoon break one day. This particular cemetery was in use from … Continue reading Other Duties as Assigned: Cemetery Maintenance
Reclaiming History Through Photographs
My most recent post, "Reclaiming History Through Photographs" can be seen over at the Active History site. The post focuses on the use of photographs by repressed and minority peoples to reclaim a lost past. Images can have a pivotal role in healing, reconciliation, and in the reclamation of lost history. This particular post highlights … Continue reading Reclaiming History Through Photographs
Local Architecture and National Differences
One of the best parts of day two of #ncph2012 was the walking tour of downtown Milwaukee. The tour was put on by Historic Milwaukee Inc. This particular tour was especially crafted for the conference and combined elements of various different tours HMI gives. I learned lots about local architecture styles, local history, and the … Continue reading Local Architecture and National Differences
Returning Home: Repatriation and Missing Children
My latest post "Returning Home: Repatriation and Missing Children" can be seen over on the Active History site. The post looks at the legacy and ongoing impact of the children that went missing or were buried without their families' knowledge while attending Residential School in Canada.
Linguistic Heritage
Language is one of the most commonly used means of expression. A language speaks volumes about the culture that developed it. Despite the value society places on language, there are a number of Aboriginal languages in Canada which are in risk of dying off within a generation. The impact of the residential school system and … Continue reading Linguistic Heritage
Hidden Legacy Conference Highlights
This past week I attended the Hidden Legacy Conference in Winnipeg. The conference featured an interesting combination of speakers and highlighted a variety of view points relating to trauma and inter-generational impacts.The first day of the conference included eight main speakers and a panel discussion. The first keynote speaker of the day was Dr. Gabor … Continue reading Hidden Legacy Conference Highlights