Open AccessA case study of the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre: A Survivor-centred toolkit for reconciliation
Author(s) -
Jillie Reimer
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the ijournal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2561-7397
DOI - 10.33137/ijournal.v7i1.37898
Subject(s) - exhibition , autonomy , indigenous , participatory action research , sociology , citizen journalism , work (physics) , public relations , pedagogy , political science , visual arts , engineering , mechanical engineering , art , ecology , anthropology , law , biology
This case study analyzes the programming initiatives of the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC) with the aim to produce an actionable toolkit of six distinct principles for institutions in addressing residential school history and working with Survivors. These six principles—applying Survivor-led, community-first methods; engaging in co-creative and participatory work; re-contextualizing photography through oral history; reclaiming Indigenous objects, spaces, and time; continually re-examining prior reconciliation efforts; and supporting the autonomy of witnessing—all contribute to the ongoing Canadian response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action in confronting systemic racism towards Indigenous peoples, educating the public about residential schools, and advancing the progress of reconciliation efforts. The SRSC’s programming, including the Remember the Children project and the Reclaiming Shingwauk Hall exhibition, along with the centre’s further statements and initiatives, all highlight best practices in the preservation and programming for former residential school sites. By following the methods realized throughout this case study, other institutions can mindfully and meaningfully co-create Survivor-led spaces and programming that will further reconciliation’s aims—listening, learning, supporting, healing, and restoring.