Truth and Reconciliation

Before reading:

Question: What part does education play in Truth and Reconciliation?
Terminology: truth/reconciliation/ education/ representation/ First Nations/ Indians/ Indigenous/ Aboriginal/ Native

After Reading:

Question: How can reconciliation be achieved through education?

Terminology: truth and reconciliation/ colonialism/ education/ representation/ First Nations/ Indians/ Indigenous/ Aboriginal/ Native/ Eurocentrism/cognitive imperialism

Edward Said, in an article he wrote in 2003 for the LA Times, so candidly stated that, ‘’Every empire, however, tells itself and the world that it is unlike all other empires, that its mission is not to plunder and control but to educate and liberate.’’ Thankfully, because the facts about the horrors of residential schools are unraveling, today many of us can say with a great deal of certainty that the ‘’education’’ that colonists had referred to is mainly about Eurocentrism and the white washing of everything native to make it fit the desired perception. That perception favors the white man and forces certain representations of the other (First Nations/ Indians/ Indigenous/ Aboriginal/ Native) that are superficial at best, and deeply demeaning and derogatory at worst. These representations are passed along from one generation to the next, fostered not only in academic curriculums but also in cultural heritages until they become so normalized that the masses don’t even stop for a second to question them and the other, with all their knowledge, culture, and identity, becomes completely forgotten as an independent and worthwhile entity.

Now that this nation is on a pathway to Truth and Reconciliation, it is important to pause for a while and think about what these words mean.
Truth is fundamentally about revealing the truth, confronting it, and finally accepting it for what it is. Reconciliation essentially means repairing the damage, which cannot be done without eliminating intellectual and cultural imperialism.
 It is very clear that there is no true reconciliation without educational reforms (hence the changed question) that are inclusive and respectful, reforms that at their heart do not make any assumptions and that leave it up to (First Nations/ Indians/ Indigenous/ Aboriginal/ Native) people to choose how they want to be represented. It is not a simple task, of course, but one that is worth every effort made and time spent.

Indeed, reconciliation can be achieved through education only and only if that education is free of cognitive imperialism, free of marginalizing indigenous knowledge and experiences, and free of alienating Indigenous people from their race and heritage.

                                                                             References

Battiste, M. (2013) Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit. Purich Publishing Limited.

Jack, A. (2001). Behind Closed Doors: Stories from the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Theytus Books.

Said, E. (2003). Blind Imperial Arrogance. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-20-oe-said20-story.html