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Spirit of the Grassroots PeopleSeeking Justice for Indigenous Survivors of Canada's Colonial Education System |
eBook Available
A compelling memoir by a survivor of the Indian residential and day school system who fought for justice on behalf of Indigenous people.
Raymond Mason is an Ojibway activist who campaigns for the rights of residential school survivors and a founder of Spirit Wind, an organization that played a key role in the development of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. This memoir offers a firsthand account of the personal and political challenges Mason confronted on this journey.
A riveting and at times harrowing read, Spirit of the Grassroots People describes the author's experiences in Indian day and residential schools in Manitoba and his struggles to find meaning in life after trauma and abuse. Mason details the work that he and his colleagues did over many years to gain recognition and compensation for their suffering. Drawing from Indigenous oral traditions as well as Western historiography, the work applies the concept of two-eyed seeing to the histories of colonialism and education in Canada. The memoir is supplemented by a final chapter in which Theodore Michael Christou and Jackson Pind put Mason's story into a historical and educational context.
An essential key to understanding the legacy of Indian residential and day schools, this text is both a documentation of history and a deeply personal story of a human experience.
A riveting and at times harrowing read, Spirit of the Grassroots People describes the author's experiences in Indian day and residential schools in Manitoba and his struggles to find meaning in life after trauma and abuse. Mason details the work that he and his colleagues did over many years to gain recognition and compensation for their suffering. Drawing from Indigenous oral traditions as well as Western historiography, the work applies the concept of two-eyed seeing to the histories of colonialism and education in Canada. The memoir is supplemented by a final chapter in which Theodore Michael Christou and Jackson Pind put Mason's story into a historical and educational context.
An essential key to understanding the legacy of Indian residential and day schools, this text is both a documentation of history and a deeply personal story of a human experience.
Details
200 Pages, 6 x 9
10 photos, 1 map
ISBN 9780228003519
October 2020
Formats: Cloth, eBook
"This is an important story for all Canadians. In sharing his story publicly, Raymond Mason is speaking on behalf of countless survivors. The story is one of advocacy as well as personal experience." Tricia Logan, Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, University of British Columbia
Raymond Mason (1947-2022) was a survivor, activist, and Elder from Peguis First Nation, Manitoba.
Jackson Pind is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, Queen's University.
Theodore Michael Christou is professor of social studies and history education and associate dean of graduate studies and research in the Faculty of Education, Queen's University.
Jackson Pind is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, Queen's University.
Theodore Michael Christou is professor of social studies and history education and associate dean of graduate studies and research in the Faculty of Education, Queen's University.
Preface: Two-Eyed Seeing and Storytelling vii
Theodore Michael Christou and Jackson Pind
Chronology of Raymond Mason’s Life ix
Map of Southern Manitoba xi
1 Introduction: The Beginning 3
2 Catching Up with Myself 8
3 My Early Years 13
4 After Graduation 26
5 Working Life 31
6 Spirit Wind 49
7 Indian Day Schools 70
8 The Truth and Reconciliation Events 81
9 Concluding Thoughts: Digging Up Bones 86
Afterword: Truth, Reconciliation, and Reshaping of Canada’s History 91
Jackson Pind and Theodore Michael Christou
Appendices
A Apology from the Anglican Church of Canada, 2017 117
B Independent Assessment Process: Report of Decision-Maker, 2008 118
C Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution in Support of Spirit Wind, 15 January 2003 124
D Spirit Wind Strategy/Plan Presented to Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, May 2003 125
E Assembly of First Nations Resolution in Support of Spirit Wind, May 2003 136
F Raymond Mason’s Presentation to House of Commons Standing Committee, 2005 138
G Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution, Manitoba First Nations Children and Youth Class Action Lawsuit, August 2008 144
H Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution, Continued Support for Spirit Wind, August 2009 146
Notes 149
Index 183
Theodore Michael Christou and Jackson Pind
Chronology of Raymond Mason’s Life ix
Map of Southern Manitoba xi
1 Introduction: The Beginning 3
2 Catching Up with Myself 8
3 My Early Years 13
4 After Graduation 26
5 Working Life 31
6 Spirit Wind 49
7 Indian Day Schools 70
8 The Truth and Reconciliation Events 81
9 Concluding Thoughts: Digging Up Bones 86
Afterword: Truth, Reconciliation, and Reshaping of Canada’s History 91
Jackson Pind and Theodore Michael Christou
Appendices
A Apology from the Anglican Church of Canada, 2017 117
B Independent Assessment Process: Report of Decision-Maker, 2008 118
C Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution in Support of Spirit Wind, 15 January 2003 124
D Spirit Wind Strategy/Plan Presented to Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, May 2003 125
E Assembly of First Nations Resolution in Support of Spirit Wind, May 2003 136
F Raymond Mason’s Presentation to House of Commons Standing Committee, 2005 138
G Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution, Manitoba First Nations Children and Youth Class Action Lawsuit, August 2008 144
H Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Resolution, Continued Support for Spirit Wind, August 2009 146
Notes 149
Index 183
