As part of a national initiative to reconcile all Canadians with the history of Indian Residential Schools, The Scope at Ryerson has produced a half hour radio documentary, Resonating Reconciliation from Ryerson to Shingwauk.
Our mothers attended Shingwauk Residential School. What was that experience like? Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux’s teaching and academic writing is directed towards understanding Historic and Intergenerational Trauma within the Aboriginal community. She has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding and is deeply committed to public education and active youth engagement.
Egerton Ryerson (1803-1882) was instrumental in the establishment of a free and compulsory public education system in Ontario and also believed in different systems of education for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. While Egerton Ryerson did not implement or oversee the launch of the Indian Residential Schools, his ideas contributed to the concept of them. It is important to acknowledge this connection and emphasize the university’s commitment to respectful relationships with Aboriginal communities and to continuing to build and maintain a campus environment that welcomes and respects Aboriginal people.
Producer Bio:
Pamela Matthews (BSc, MFA) is a Producer, Director, Editor, Instructor and Actor and has been working in Film and Television for more than twenty-five years. She teaches Film Studies at Ryerson University and Centennial College (Broadcasting/Film Program), and, since 2002, has been teaching filmmaking for the American Indian Film Institute’s Tribal Touring Program (San Francisco). Her films includes the feature-length documentary, “Just Another Dead Indian”, about the wrongful deaths of Aboriginal men in Canada, “A Shot in the Dark”, about Ipperwash and the death of Aboriginal activist, Dudley George – and – the multi-award-winning dramatic film, “Only the Devil Speaks Cree”, about surviving the residential school experience. Pam completed her Film Studies at Ryerson University where she received the Howard Kerr Memorial Scholarshipand the Gold Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement. She is also a graduate of the Ryerson Theatre School and received her MFA in Film Production from York University.
Featured Guest:
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Georgina Island First Nation
Music:
“Is Sorry Enough”, from Six Nations Blues musician, Murray Porter (from his album “Songs Lived and Life Played”) written with Elaine Bomberry in response to the official Apology of 2008.
Music selection from “Only the Devil Speaks Cree” film soundtrack by MARCIA COFFEY
Egerton Ryerson Portrayed by:
Barry Birnberg
