Amanda Devion – Saskatchewan, I’m Confused…

I was happy to read that a post-secondary school intended to meet the needs of Aboriginal students was established in Saskatchewan in 1976. The fact that it is Aboriginal-controlled is all the better (p. 117). The date of which it opened got me thinking though. Yes, I feel that this college is a step in the right direction to help ensure success for all Canadians and that there should be more established in the future. Where the confusion comes into play is when I think of residential schools. The last residential school was closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan (p. 75). So in essence, Saskatchewan had schools intended for Aboriginal students running at the same time with opposite conflicting missions. The college is intended “to enhance the quality of life, and to preserve, protect and interpret the history, language, culture and artistic heritage of Frist Nations” (p. 117). While residential schools were about removing children from their culture, heritage, etc.

Maybe the two schools were so far removed from one another that people in the area didn’t know the other existed. So, I looked on MapQuest to find out how far they were from one another. Gordon Residential School was located in Punnichy, SK. This small town is less than 2-hours (125km) driving distance to one of the colleges’ locations in Regina, SK. (p. 117). To me, that is similar to Winnipeg and Beausejour, Stonewall, Portage, Brandon, Carmen, Lac du Bonnet, etc. My mom lives in Lac du Bonnet and commutes to Winnipeg frequently. I would like to think that people living so close to one another would be aware of each other and work together for a brighter future. Especially the Aboriginal people who control the college.

I know that there is more to this then I am unaware of and that I am looking at this through a very small pigeonhole. It just blows my mind that it took 20 years (1976-1996) from the establishment of the pro-Aboriginal rights college before the last residential school was closed and the two establishments were located only 125km from one another. It appears to me that the federal governments’ right hand didn’t know what the left and was doing and that there was not enough pressure from the general public for them to figure it out.

Discussion Question: What are some ways for a more open relationship between division associations (school boards, parent groups, teacher, administration personnel, etc.)? Do you think there are currently barriers for open communication between division associations? Why or why not?