How to deal with residential school denialism
Sean Carleton, an assistant professor of history and Indigenous studies, has two speaking engagements at Sault Ste. Marie’s Algoma University this week dealing with sensitive topics.
The first one, on Thursday afternoon, is about residential schools and the importance of what he calls 'truth before reconciliation.'
"It’s important to educate people about what denialism is, which is not the denialism of residential schools, but the attempt to manipulate or twist the basic facts," said Carleton, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
"Algoma used to be a residential school, so I think it’s an important space to be doing this public education."
Shingwauk Indian Residential School operated in Sault Ste. Marie between 1873 and 1970. It was run by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Canadian government.
Carleton’s second topic on Friday night is about a new book he has written 'Lessons in Legitimacy: Colonialism, Capitalism, and the Rise of State Schooling in British Columbia.'
"It looks at the role of different kinds of schools. I am going to look at Indian day schools, Indian residential schools but also public schools for non-Indigenous children," Carleton said.
Carleton’s first event at Algoma University is March 23 at 1 p.m. with the second event scheduled for March 24 at 7 p.m. Both are at the Doc Brown Lounge at Algoma University.
If you are a former residential school student in distress or have been affected by the residential school system and need help, you can contact the 24-hour Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419. Additional mental-health support and resources for Indigenous Peoples are available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.