Residential Schools Poetry & Song
2023 Theme:
Gidinawendimin / We Are All Related / Nous sommes tous liés
Connecting with Poetry
Grades 5 - 12
Schools have 2 poetry books, I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe and I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas. This will be a great link from local to books in your school. See lesson plan here in English and in French for I Lost My Talk to use during Truth & Reconciliation Week.
Poetry
I Lost My Talk is based on the poem by Mi'kmaw elder and poet Rita Joe, C.M. Rita Joe penned her poem to express not only the pain and suffering she experienced at Schubenacadie Residential School in Nova Scotia, but also her hope and conviction that her words could guide and inspire indigenous and non-indigenous peoples across Canada to journey to a place of strength and healing.
I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe
ILOSTMYTALK_OSD-RitaJoe.pdfJ'ai perdu mon parler
MTS_OSDStories_I_Lost_My_Talk_FRE_2018.pdfVoices From Here Video Series and Interactive Text
Books for the Classroom in All Schools
The Secret Path
Gord Downie, the lead singer of the Canadian band, The Tragically Hip, is bringing attention to one of the most haunting legacies in our country's history - the residential school system and the children and families who were affected by it all. Downie released a multimedia project called The Secret Path, which consists of an album with 10 new songs, and a graphic novel by Jeff Lemire. The project is devoted to sharing the story of 12 year old Chanie Wenjack, an Anishinabe boy who died from hunger and exposure after escaping from his residential school to try and find his way home.
Logan Staats (Six Nations)- “Deadman”
Mohawk Institute in Brantford Story & Imagery
"I wrote “Dead Man” while in rehab. It’s not about a girl. The culture is the love that I’m asking for. The love for myself. That was stolen from me - by the government, the crown, the church. When I sing “GIVE ME BACK MY LOVE”, I'm speaking about my culture, my pride, the love for myself.” - Logan Staats