'Sugarcane' And The Dark History Of Indigenous Residential Schools
1Digest
The podcast delves into the history of St. Joseph's Mission, a residential school run by the Catholic Church in British Columbia, Canada, from 1891 to 1981. The documentary "Sugarcane" explores the school's history, interviewing survivors and the film's directors, Julian Brave Noisecat and Emily Cassie. The podcast discusses the purpose and tactics of residential schools, which aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into white culture through forced labor, language suppression, and physical and sexual abuse. The podcast reveals evidence of infanticide at St. Joseph's Mission, where babies born to unwed mothers were allegedly placed in the incinerator. The filmmakers emphasize the importance of building trust with survivors and creating a safe space for them to share their stories. The podcast examines the generational impact of residential schools, highlighting the intergenerational trauma and ongoing suffering experienced by Indigenous communities. The podcast also discusses the history of residential schools in the US, highlighting the similarities and differences with the Canadian system. The podcast explores the issue of accountability and reparations for survivors, emphasizing the lack of meaningful action from the government and the Catholic Church. The filmmakers express frustration with the church's lack of transparency and their unwillingness to provide answers and closure. The podcast emphasizes the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and avoiding simplistic narratives when dealing with the complex history of residential schools. The podcast discusses the positive reception of "Sugarcane" from survivors and their descendants, highlighting the film's ability to provide a sense of validation and encourage dialogue. The filmmakers express hope that the film will contribute to further investigation and accountability in both Canada and the US.
Outlines
The History of St. Joseph's Mission and the Documentary "Sugarcane"
The podcast introduces the documentary "Sugarcane" which explores the history of St. Joseph's Mission, an Indigenous residential school in British Columbia, Canada. The podcast will feature interviews with the film's directors, Julian Brave Noisecat and Emily Cassie, and delve into the history of the school, which was run by the Catholic Church from 1891 to 1981.
The Purpose and Tactics of Residential Schools
The podcast discusses the purpose and tactics of residential schools in Canada and the US. These institutions aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into white culture, using methods like forced labor, language suppression, and physical and sexual abuse. The podcast also reveals evidence of infanticide at St. Joseph's Mission, where babies born to unwed mothers were allegedly placed in the incinerator.
The Impact and Legacy of Residential Schools
The podcast explores the challenges of interviewing survivors of residential schools, emphasizing the importance of trust and respect. The podcast examines the lasting impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities, highlighting the intergenerational trauma and ongoing suffering. The podcast also discusses the history of residential schools in the US, highlighting the similarities and differences with the Canadian system.
Accountability, Reparations, and the Future
The podcast explores the issue of accountability and reparations for survivors of residential schools in Canada. The filmmakers discuss the lack of meaningful action from the government and the Catholic Church, emphasizing the need for truth and reconciliation. The podcast highlights the Catholic Church's continued resistance to releasing documentation about residential schools, despite the persistent requests from survivors and Indigenous communities. The podcast emphasizes the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and avoiding simplistic narratives when dealing with the complex history of residential schools. The podcast discusses the positive reception of "Sugarcane" from survivors and their descendants, highlighting the film's ability to provide a sense of validation and encourage dialogue. The filmmakers express hope that the film will contribute to further investigation and accountability in both Canada and the US.
Keywords
Indigenous Residential Schools
Government-funded institutions in Canada and the US that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and subjected them to assimilation tactics, including language suppression, forced labor, and physical and sexual abuse.
Intergenerational Trauma
The transmission of trauma across generations, where the experiences of one generation can have lasting effects on subsequent generations. This is a significant factor in understanding the ongoing impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities.
Truth and Reconciliation
A process of acknowledging and addressing historical injustices, including the truth about residential schools, and working towards healing and reconciliation between Indigenous communities and the governments and institutions responsible for the abuses.
Infanticide
The killing of infants, often by their parents or caregivers. The documentary "Sugarcane" reveals evidence of infanticide at St. Joseph's Mission, where babies born to unwed mothers were allegedly placed in the incinerator.
Assimilation
The process of absorbing one cultural group into another, often involving the suppression of the original culture and language. Residential schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into white culture, stripping them of their identity and heritage.
Cultural Colonization
The imposition of one culture on another, often through the suppression of the original culture and language. Residential schools were a form of cultural colonization, aimed at erasing Indigenous cultures and replacing them with Western values and beliefs.
Verite Filmmaking
A style of filmmaking that aims to capture reality as it unfolds, often without narration or staged scenes. The filmmakers of "Sugarcane" used a verite approach to allow survivors to tell their stories in their own words and on their own terms.
Accountability
The process of holding individuals and institutions responsible for their actions, including the abuses that occurred at residential schools. Survivors and Indigenous communities are demanding accountability from the government and the Catholic Church for their role in the tragedy.
Q&A
What were the main goals of Indigenous residential schools in Canada and the US?
Residential schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into white culture by forcibly removing them from their families and subjecting them to language suppression, forced labor, and physical and sexual abuse.
How did the filmmakers of "Sugarcane" approach interviewing survivors of St. Joseph's Mission?
The filmmakers used a verite style, following the action as it unfolded and creating a safe space for survivors to share their stories in their own words and on their own terms.
What is the significance of the evidence of infanticide at St. Joseph's Mission?
The revelation of infanticide at the school is particularly poignant for Julian Brave Noisecat, whose father was born at the school. It highlights the horrific nature of the abuses that occurred and the need for further investigation and accountability.
What are some of the long-term impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities?
Residential schools have had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, leading to intergenerational trauma, addiction, suicide, and other forms of suffering. The legacy of these schools continues to affect Indigenous people today.
What are some of the demands for accountability and reparations from survivors of residential schools?
Survivors and Indigenous communities are demanding truth and reconciliation, including the release of documentation from the government and the Catholic Church, the return of lands, and a memorial to the children who died at the schools.
How has the documentary "Sugarcane" been received by audiences?
The documentary has been well-received by survivors and their descendants, who have found it validating and empowering. The filmmakers hope that the film will contribute to further investigation and accountability in both Canada and the US.
Show Notes
At least 150,000 Indigenous children attended Indigenous residential schools in Canada. For decades, they were removed from their homes and families and held in institutions run by the Catholic church and Canadian government.
"Sugarcane" is a new documentary that follows one of those schools – St. Joseph's Mission near the Sugarcane Reservation of Williams Lake in British Columbia.
We speak with the film's directors.
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