Editor's note: In recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, which recognizes the lasting impact of the Canadian Indian residential school system, SaltWire is sharing the stories of residential school survivors this week. This is final piece in a series of four stories.
The two-storey Lennox Island Indian Day School operated from 1869 to 1987 and went to Grade 6. All children needed to attend. “He knew the political system. He was aware of the Indian agent and police in the area, and they made their visits. We all just had to listen and do our best to obey the teacher and the Catholic teachings.”Wounds that time won’t heal: Shubenacadie Indian Residential School survivor shares her first year of a stolen childhoodThe day schools, part of the residential school system, systematically undermined Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures across Canada, she says.
“But I’ve taken two courses at the University of Prince Edward Island , and there’s a bursary that I can take to learn my language. So, I am finally finding the words and ability to read and write my language, and I’m so happy to be getting there and regaining my culture.” "But it was a challenge to be thrown into this new world and pick up English phonetics and customs when our traditional culture was so different.”
According to Statistics Canada, on an average day, it was found that there were 42.6 Indigenous people in provincial custody per 10,000 population compared to 4.0 non-Indigenous people.“We were afraid to talk about the residential schools because no one would listen. We always knew what was happening, but because of the Indian Act and colonialism, no one in authority would listen and help,” reflects Clark.
“I know a lot of people were unaware of the residential school systems, and it wasn’t until they found the remains of these children and the ongoing investigations , that people are learning the truth,” says Clark.Clark credits her Mi’kmaq Elders and her parents for their valuable teachings.