Aliya C.

Napanee, Ontario

Kingston Regional Fair

Perceiving the 7 grandfather teaching in a way that will help us with reconciliation

Residential schools operated for 116 years, and the last one closed 21 years closed, but the effects of the schools have made huge issues. In this documentary I explain how we can use the 7 grandfather teachings in a way that will help us with reconciliation and help the aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples of Canada move forward together.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

Something really important and interesting I learned about my topic was THE WHOLE STORY and different perspectives. The whole story is what made up Canada and just because the story wasn't told in whole or it was missing pieces, doesn't make it any less important than anybody else's stories.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

All cultures have a story, some are often more heard and known then other cultures stories but in the end every culture has a piece of the puzzle in which made up our world and without those cultures many future and present events wouldn't have happened.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

Today, residential schools are closed, and discrimination is illegal, but in a not so long ago past there were discriminatory laws forcing peoples of certain cultures to do something with out choice, in this case, the Indian Act forced over 100,000 aboriginal children away from there families to attend residential schools. Also, I'm fortunate enough to have a say of where I go to school, who I live with, and to stay with my family, unlike many of the aboriginal children who weren't aloud a voice.