Feature Article #1:

Background on the Residential School Attendee: Lorna Rope

            Lorna Rope is a residential school survivor, she currently lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, but is originally from Carry the Kettle First Nations (Rope, n.d.). She attended the St. Paul residential school for a period of time in Lebret Saskatchewan, starting in 1962 (Rope, n.d.).  Both her parents attended residential school, and her father went to the same one Lorna Rope attended (Rope, n.d.). 

During her stay at the residential school she experienced various forms of physical and mental abuse (Rope, n.d.). She became rebellious during her stay, and she also became captain of many school sport teams (Rope, n.d.). Sports were an outlet for Lorna Rope because it was a chance for her to leave the school, due to the fact that her parents were unable to visit her (Rope, n.d.).

            The residential school eventually let Lorna Rope officially leave during her grade 10 year (Rope, n.d.).  She attempted to attend public schools but because of family issues and her struggle to integrate into the “normal” school system she dropped out (Rope, n.d.). She eventually got her GED and her mother, whom has always been so loving and supportive of Lorna Rope, advised Lorna to leave their reserve, so Lorna Rope may continue to improve on herself such as by getting a job (Rope, n.d.).

            Unfortunately, Lorna Rope’s mother was murdered, and her siblings witnessed their mother getting shot (Rope, n.d.). Lorna Rope had difficulties dealing with the trauma from her mother’s death and her experience at the residential school, so she turned to alcohol and developed an addiction.

            As Lorna Rope got older she married twice, and both times got divorces (Rope, n.d.). Because of her trauma and loss of identity from the residential school system, Lorna Rope struggled with relationships (Rope, n.d.). 

            Her life turned around and she recently achieved her life goal of attending university (Rope, n.d.). Lorna Rope has gone through therapy to deal with her trauma and has graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Regina, and she has two daughters (Rope, n.d.).  She strives to not let her upbringing in residential schools influence how she raises her children (Rope, n.d.). Overall, Lorna Rope is a positive person who does not let her pass act as a barrier from succeeding. 

Background of Carry the Kettle First Nations

            Carry the Kettle Nation is part of the Assiniboine, and they are aboriginal people from the plains (Carry The Kettle Nakoda Nation, n.d., para 2). Historically this culture was active in hunting buffalo and the fur trade (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2018, para 2).  The Assiniboine people split from the Nakota people in the 1600s, and their culture is considered distinct from other cultures, such as the Cree or the Blackfoot people (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 3). In their historical days they were greatly into hunting and using canines to help them carry hides (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 4).  They were viewed more as the gathering type, especially regarding their vegetables and fruits (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 4). 

           Their most sacred ceremony is the Sun Dance (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 5).  This ceremony is held in the early summer, and both men and women would honor their spiritual leader through praying, dancing and having a feast at the end (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 5). This is also a time where young men would go on vision quests to get in touch with spirits, and practice songs and prayers (The Canadian Encyclopedia, n.d., para 5).

            In essence, the Assiniboine people were very in touch with the land and their spiritual leaders.

Illustration 

            I chose to do an illustration to reflect the various stages of Lorna Rope’s life. Each stage is in a circle because each stage contributes to a wholistic picture of Lorna Rope’s identity. The first circle is about life before Lorna went to the residential school. In the documentary she states that her and her family were very happy and ate as a family (Rope, n.d.), so I chose to capture that moment by drawing her family at their dinner table. 

The second circle is the largest because the residential school had an enormous impact on Lorna Rope’s life. From her memory all Lorna Rope could remember from her first day was a brick building (Rope, n.d.). I chose to colour the background of the second circle black because these were gloomy abusive days for Lorna Rope.

The third circle is the darkest circle. This is the stage were Lorna Rope’s mother was murdered. It is also where she copes with her life trauma through alcohol.

The fourth circle is where the colours, which represent her happiness, begin to change. A big turning point for Lorna Rope was going to therapy to work on her healing process. Lorna Rope the darkest figure that does not have a shape because during her therapy days she began to figure out her own identity.

The fifth circle is of a graduation hat and a bachelors. This is when Lorna Rope achieved her life dream of attending and graduating university. She received a bachelor’s in social work.

Also, the sixth circle is the most vibrant one. Lorna Rope has achieved her life dream, gone through therapy, and can now be the best loving mother to her two daughters.

Lastly, the illustration’s background contains the colours blue, yellow, green, and red these colours on the Carry the Kettle First Nation symbol. The illustration has a kettle on it and two feathers to also reflect her ancestral roots. There are two pieces of wheat to symbolize that she lives in the plains, more specifically Saskatchewan. To conclude, I put Lorna Rope’s name in the middle because this illustration ultimately reflects who she is as a person and where she has come from.

Self-Reflection

I feel that it is an understatement to just classify my feelings of residential schools as sad. From researching survivor stories and learning about their life it was quite an awakening. The story of Lorna Rope made me feel embarrassed of our past but also proud. I am proud of how far she has come as a person. She has endured so much pain and trauma, but that never stopped her from pursuing her dreams.

            Researching the story of a residential school survivor has made me think on the importance of culture and human decency. Indigenous people hold their culture and family close to them and through the process of cultural genocide Canada has stripped people from their identities. I cannot imagine how many people who have not yet re-discovered their identity.

            In the future I aspire to pursue a career in the Canadian Criminal Justice System. Learning and hearing stories about residential schools and indigenous culture can potentially impact my practice, but in a positive manner. The more education I have on different cultures the better I feel that I can understand individuals I may potentially be working with. Lastly, taking the steps to understand people are part of being empathetic, which people in the justice system need to be.  

References

Addiction Services for York Region. (2018). Trauma. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.asyr.ca/resources/understanding-addiction/trauma/

Carry The Kettle Nakoda Nation. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved October 28, 2018, from http://cegakin.com/index.php/about/

Carry The Kettle Nakoda Nation. (n.d.). Carry the kettle Nakoda nation symbol. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://cegakin.com/index.php/about/

The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2018). Assiniboine. Retrieved October 28, 2018, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/assiniboine

Google Images. (n.d.). Buffalo Hunt. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.google.ca/search?q=indigenous+buffalo+hunt&rlz=1C1CHWA_enCA648CA648&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiNgoelu7TeAhVmHDQIHXwMCh0Q_AUIDigB&biw=1794&bih=853&dpr=0.75#imgrc=a5XhrkvW3OocBM:

Rope, L. (Interviewee). (n.d.). Our Stories … Our Strength [Interview video file, Interview transcript]. Retrieved from http://wherearethechildren.ca/en/stories/#story_5

Statistics Canada. (2017). Saskatchewan. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/statistical-programs/document/SGC_CGT_4759_V1

Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society. (n.d.). Criminal justice and Aboriginal. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://vatjss.com/