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Isabelle Knockwood, Author of 'My Mother's Teachings

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Isabelle Knockwood, Author of 'My Mother's Teachings

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Isabelle Knockwood, Author of 'My Mother's Teachings'

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Isabelle Knockwood, Author of 'My Mother's Teachings'

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After reading this piece of writing, I now think about my life, and putting myself in the shoes of these people

I try to put the situation of residential schools in perspective

I have read stories of children at the ages of 8 or 9 being taken from their home and their families and forces into residential schools

I have a 9 year old brother, and when hearing these stories, I imagine it happening to him, and how he would feel and deal with this situation

These stories always resonate with me more when I imagine it happening to someone I love and care about, and it makes me so upset to know that things like this were occurring where I live, and in a place I call my home.

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This was a very interesting and unique way of learning about residential schools because the author showed more of the emotional, personal effects it had on her life

It was upsetting to hear what children at this time were going through and it is very eye opening to the lack of information that actual people in the schools had

They did not know why they were they and why their people were chosen to be tormented and de-humanized in this way

They asked questions about why they were the targets if they had so much in common with the british north americans

They felt powerless and their rights were taken away from them so fast

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-She reflects on teachings and lessons from her Mother were and still are so valuable to her
-These lessons have brought her through the hard times of being in residential schools
-Mi’kmaq attended residential schools for twelve years
-Her, along with two thousand other children from her area were taken to these schools and denied their basic human rights of speech and religion
-In 1867, the British North America act stated Canada’s goal: “Our Country’s goals is destroy the tribal society and assimilate Indians into the white domination society as quickly as it is convenient.”
-She discusses her questions of why it was so important to the white people to destroy their religion if they shared common ancestors and languages in a common region
-She believes that everyone in Canada is united by their similarities and should not be treated this way just because of their differences
-Residential schools took everything from her
-She lost her family, her community, her culture, her heritage and her traditional teachings
-Residential schools destroyed her aboriginal identity and left her feeling alone, isolated, and silenced in the world. She felt powerless.
-By definition, indigenous people were prisoners of war and children in residential schools became child warriors struggling to stay alive
-Children were taught everyday that they are not people and has no rights to speak out and speak their languages
-Children stopped believing in their God and traditions and were constantly questioning their original culture and beliefs
-Her Mother's teachings made her who she is today, giving her wisdom and knowledge of why life is the way it is. She has become creative, productive, as well as responsible for her actions.