Sisters of Grace

The other morning, I woke up at 4am and I couldn’t seem to go back to sleep. I decided to go downstairs and watch a movie, my plan was to use the movie to relax me back into sleep. However the movie, I picked did not! It was called, “Bones of Crows” on Netflix. The movie was a heartbreaking epic, about the Canadian government trying to eradicate the culture of Indigenous people. The specific group targeted was the Cree Indians. Though the movie was fictionalized it still gave a look into the pain and suffering inflicted upon these people. We all know that Native Americans all over the USA were treated horribly.

The Cree Indians in Canada, were forced to send their children to Residential Schools, they were taken away from their families and many never saw their parents again. The Residential Schools were established in the late 1800s and the last known one was closed in 1997, that is over 160 years! It is believed that around 150,000 children were in place in them nationally. These children were subjected to sexual, physical, mental abuse, starvation, and disease. They were seen as a problem to the Euro-Canadian culture. America has dark history of wanting to force people to embrace their culture as the only right way. Even worse these schools were government funded but administered by the Christian church!

How my heart broke within me as I watched this movie, I had never heard of these schools. I am ashamed to be a Christian sometimes, because of the horror we have inflicted as a society, upon the lives of the innocent. GOD be merciful to us all, but if I am honest I want justice too! I love my country, and I am an American Christian. I can assure you the JESUS I serve was not the one these people taught about! They have made a mockery of what he represents! Jesus is LOVE! He does not condone these type of things! One of the sayings they had “Kill the Indian save, the man.” This sick slogan that was used as a racial slur to these precious souls. Their culture is who they are and to take that away to fit societal standards is wrong!

These schools promised to educate these children, to teach them how to work alongside Americans. They were supposed to be taught about Jesus, not forced to serve a God they didn’t understand! Jesus doesn’t force anyone to believe in him, he offers an invitation! They cut off their long, flowing, black hair and replaced it with buzz cuts and pixie cuts. An Indian’s hair is scared to them! They weren’t allowed to speak the language of their Fathers, however some held the language in their hearts.

The Indigenous people tried to speak up for their children, family members, but many were dismissed and or ignored. When the survivors became adults they began sharing their stories. They kept their hearts strong and they fought for all those lives lost. These beautiful children endured so much pain and sorrow, all for being born an Indian! Finally, after years of being ignored and silenced in 2008, after over 6500 testimonies came out a light was shone on the genocidal actions of the churches and previous governments. However all over the USA reports were coming in about abuse there too. Americans, we cannot continue to ignore generations of people and not hear their cries!

The aftermath of their suffering has left these people with scars and they need access to more mental health services. The new generations of their children need to know the important contributions of Indigenous People, they also need to know their history. Although America has began to shed a light on some of the events that took place in these schools, and offered to pay off the survivors and their families. However many are too scared to deal with the government, and how can we blame them?

UNCOVERING THE PAST

In May 2021, archeologists found 200 unmarked graves at an old school in Canada and it brought more attention to what these people were already saying! These residential schools were torn down all over the US, but there is one that still stands in Saskatchewan. It is a reminder to a nation that would rather forget! “A three-story tombstone for generations of children, who died there.” (Anderson Cooper, CBS NEWS 2023). The scars of a nation, have caused many indigenous people to turn to substance abuse, anger, rage and violence. However, many have turned to the streets to march, storm upon the government, write letters, raise up a voice in the night and fight back!

PAINFUL STEREOTYPES AND NARRATIVES

We have seen it throughout all races of people, these harmful stereotypes have become ingrained in our culture. We have generations of people who are unaware of who they are and where they fit in society. Those who have strong sense of culture and who they are can lead more confident lives. Many of the indigenous people forsook their cultures out of fear that their children would face difficulties living in the modern world. “It is hard to identify as a First Nations person in mainstream Canadian society, when you carry this sense of shame and live surrounded by people who look down on you” (“Facing History & Ourselves, “Culture, Stereotypes, and Identity” 2019).

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE?

I am challenged after watching this movie, reading the accounts, and articles to be a better human! I didn’t know about many of these issues, because I wasn’t taught. I desire to use my voice as a voice for those without one! I seek to represent Jesus well!

What we can do:

• Participate in Local Events
• Support the causes of these communities
• Raise awareness and advocate for their rights and issues
• Respect ALL human life, regardless if we understand or not.
• Share our privileges
• Learn about their culture and history
• Magnify their strengths not weaknesses
• Shop from Indigenous-founded businesses
• Watch our mouth
• Listen to their voices
• “Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 ESV).
• Keep the conversation going speak up about injustices and share your empathy.
• Take action

In closing, I hope that I helped stir your hearts and emotions to think on these very important issues faced by these precious people. This movie was beautiful and it helped shine a light. We all have experienced different levels of suffering and injustices in some shape or form. Let’s learn to treat each other better! There are many wonderful Americans that have stepped in to help and contribute and we shouldn’t be discouraged but encouraged that we as a whole are growing up and learning to be better collectively. There is still much work to do! Blessings to you and Happy Reading!

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