Letter to the editor: Not the time to become deaf to residential schools stories

Notes: "With all due respect to the Rev. Canon John Bonnard, I feel he has missed the point ('The good side', Nov. 2014, p. 4). He may be weary of what he calls 'negative articles' on residential schools, but the majority of non-Native Canadians know diddly about the residential school system, especially its mandate to eliminate First Peoples' cultures and languages. A few years back, and I believe in the 'Anglican Journal', the Rev. Wendy Fletcher said, 'To insist that we weigh the so-called "positive" side of the residential schools experience as equal with its horror, re-victimizes those already harmed and prevents the enlightenment necessary for true reconciliation'. As the Truth and Reconciliation Commission winds down, it's not the time to become deaf to the stories concerning the residential schools era. We have plenty of non-Natives who are stone-deaf to our story -- there is no need for a priest to join their ranks". [Text of entire article.]

Subjects: Indian residential schools - Canada; Indian residential schools - Canada - Anglican Church of Canada; Bonnard, John M. (Jean Maurice), 1928-2015