Archives As Activism: Community Narrative Building at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre

As part of the "(re)Active Public History" Twitter mini-con hosted by the National Council on Public History I presented a presentation on the role of the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre as a place of community building and activism.  The complete Twitter presentation is below. Archives As Activism: Community Narrative Building

Sharing, Healing and Learning: Survivor Driven History

My latest piece "Sharing, Healing and Learning: Survivor Driven History at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre" was recently published in Education Forum the magazine of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF). The article discusses the history of the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC), the importance of shifting the historical narrative to the Survivor point … Continue reading Sharing, Healing and Learning: Survivor Driven History

Residential Schools and Present Day White Privilege

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to listen to residential school survivor Mike Cachagee speak to a group of 90 grade eight students.  Over the past couple of years I've worked with Mike on a regular basis through the educational programming undertaken at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre.  Mike often comes in to speak … Continue reading Residential Schools and Present Day White Privilege

Remember the Children and Canada’s History

I recently wrote a piece for the Canada's History website about the Remember the Children: Photograph Identification Project that was started by the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre.  This is a project that is near and dear to my heart.  It is one of the initiatives that made me … Continue reading Remember the Children and Canada’s History

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba officially opened this week.  The first day of opening  focused on the history of residential schools, reconciliation, and steps for the NCTR going forward.  The second day of he opening emphasized education and included the launch of the NCTR website. Work on the … Continue reading National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Archives and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Workshop

I recently facilitated a workshop on Archives and the TRC as part of Huron History Day: An Active History Pre-Conference for High School and First Year Students. The workshop focused on the history of residential schools, the unique challenges of residential school archives, the TRC, and reconciliation more broadly.  When planning this workshop I was … Continue reading Archives and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Workshop

Self Care Revisited

A few months ago I wrote about working in a field that involves historical trauma and the need for self care.  The topic of self care and the mental toll of working on emotionally charged topics came to the forefront for me earlier this week.  I spent a few hours digitizing records and cross referencing … Continue reading Self Care Revisited

Redress and Reconciliation: The Legacy of Residential Schools

Yesterday I attended a panel at Algoma University focused on residential school and reconciliation.  The panel, “Redress & Reconciliation in the face of Post-Apology Revelations”, was standing room only and featured four residential school survivors, two inter-generational survivors, and historian Ian Mosby.   The panel participants were invited to speak about their thoughts on Harper's … Continue reading Redress and Reconciliation: The Legacy of Residential Schools

Ongoing Challenges: Paper Writing and Committee Work

During the month of December I am participating in #reverb14 as a means of getting my writing habits back on track. I will be altering the prompts as needed to fit within the scope of this blog. Prompt: Challenges.  What did you wrestle with in 2014?  What did you learn?  What challenges do you foresee in 2015? This … Continue reading Ongoing Challenges: Paper Writing and Committee Work

Everyday Heroes

During the month of December I am participating in #reverb14 as a means of getting my writing habits back on track. I will be altering the prompts as needed to fit within the scope of this blog. Today's prompt: Hero: Who was your hero this year? Tell us why. What makes a hero in your … Continue reading Everyday Heroes