Inhumane School Shootings

Sadly, inhumane actions such as these were tolerated if not carried out by so-called “professionals.” For instance, in 1919, a boy who ran away from the Anglican Old Sun school was shackled to his bed and whipped repeatedly with a horsewhip until his back bled. Indian Commissioner W.A. Graham tried to have the principal fired but was unsuccessful. In 1924, another similar incident occurred as a boy at the Anglican school in The Pas was beaten until his neck to his buttocks turned black. Graham said that there was no point in reporting abuses due to the lack of support from Ottawa department, which accepted any excuse from the principals (Milloy, 1999 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012). In the 1940s, four girls froze their feet trying …show more content…
10). Clearly this resource displays nothing but intended and unintended consequences. “Each generation of returning children had fewer and fewer resources upon which to draw” (Truth and Reconciliation, 2012, p. 77). Victims felt trapped in between –not fitting in with the Indian life, nor with the whites. On one side was the Indian way of life that was being eradicated whereas on the other side was the Whiteman’s education which they could never fully comprehend due to never having the right amount of education (Ahenakew, 1973; Goodwill & Sluman, 1984 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation). Other consequences were frustration, self-doubt, passivity, the inability to question any authority figures (Ahenakew, 1973 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012), suicide, high poverty rates, lack of education, and overcrowding (Hansard, 2008, p. 6853 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012, p. 81). As did previous generations, most victims did poorly academically and grew up humiliated and confused about their heritage. The sexually and physically abused carry heavy burdens long after the schools closed and the consequences are still felt by their families and communities today. Many became involved in crime, violence, drugs and alcohol to …show more content…
That loneliness was unbearable. No one cared whether we lived or died” (Campbell, 1973, p. 44 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012, p. 24). Another could recall nothing else except feeling lonely and frightened. Little kids were homesick and cried at night (Campbell, 1973; Speare, 1973 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012). Children didn’t see family ten months at a time. Letters to be sent home were reviewed and censored by the teachers (Sandy, 2006; Schmalz, 1991; Willis, 1973 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation, 2012). In 1934 a group of boys stole cash at the Shubenacadie school in Nova Scotia. The result was that 19 boys were flogged with a harness leather made seven-thonged strap. A majority was placed on a bread-and-water diet for three days. When the parents complained, the judicial inquiry absolved the principal’s behavior even though the boys’ back still bore bruises months later. In other schools, children were placed in the cell for up to 12 days (Knockwood, 2001; Pettit, 1997 as cited in Truth and Reconciliation,