Storytelling in the spirit of wise woman: experiences of Kuper Island Residential School
Date
2000
Authors
Thomas, Qwul'sih'yah'maht Robina Anne
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Abstract
This thesis, or journey, looks at the experiences and shares the stories of three former students of Kuper Island Residential School (Kuper Island, BC). Storytelling is the methodology utilized in this research. The joys and struggles of storytelling are identified, as storytelling traditionally was, and still is, a teaching tool. Included are an overview of traditional First Nations education, the development of residential school policy, and the impact on First Nations children of a policy geared to cultural genocide. The Medicine Wheel, three Coast Salish masks, and a borrowed mask are used to analyse the impact of residential school on former students. Traditional legends are used to explore the lives of the storytellers. Included is the development of "characters" through trauma, humiliation, abuses and isolation from family, community, and culture. Wise Woman offers us an understanding of how First Nations people can begin to heal and move away from the residential school experience and return to our traditional way of life - Snuw'uy'ul.