Glimpsing The Truth of Reconciliation

an essay by Cameron McSorley, 24 November 2023

The residential school programs are not only an Indigenous issue; they are a humanitarian crisis, revealing a system of colonialism that continues to run rampant today. The cognitive allure of colonialism is a stable, unchanging worldview, the impact—genocide, ethnocide, and trauma—of which everyone is involved. First Nations are not alone in reconciliation; all of humanity has been affected individually, nationally, and socially.

When an individual’s belief system is conflicted by an event, cognitive dissonance either buries the truth of the deeds in ignorance, “a natural drive for consistency,” or conjures “anxiety and distress” in an attempt to find peace (Lawler). In the article "Colonialism and the Epistemology of Ignorance," Boaventura de Sousa Santos highlights the “accustomed demands” that are placed on an individual to perform a duty. This compels a “cognitive investment that, although more sophisticated, is driven by the same desire to dominate” (Santos). These demands and cognitive investments tend to conflict with most moral and ethical belief systems, causing distress. Professor John Smith highlights the downside of this through his work with prison guards who served at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility: "I think the guards of Guantánamo are an overlooked group of victims," saying one patient was “profoundly guilty about his participation” (Randerson). Consequently, it is up to the individual to be aware of their actions and to refuse to further the aims of any colonial agenda or mechanism through personal or cultural pursuits, no matter how alluring or compelling the reasons may seem.

Nations around the world face the difficult path of decolonization through reconciliation. Canada, forged through colonialism, claims it is ready to listen and engage in reconciliation. A leading methodology of colonialism is to eradicate Indigenous culture as quickly as possible. Ry Moran sets the pace for decolonization, saying that we all need to “help the country slow down and become self-reflecting” (The Secret Path, 01:33:30). This slowing to recognize colonialism could be very uncomfortable as the national identity becomes conflicted by its own actions. The discomfort of cognitive dissonance is necessary, according to Matt Johnson, PhD, who says, “it can have a positive effect, if it leads to increased self-awareness” (Lawler). Canada utilised residential schools and a “policy of aboriginal assimilation,” meaning “Indigenous Peoples in Canada have no rights unless they assimilate and become Canadian.” Canada has renounced this policy, although there has been little change (Christian Aboriginal). Ultimately, Canada is an institution of colonial rule, a government guilty of crime while puppeting hollow promises. This only draws more attention to the need for decolonization.

Socially, the stories, knowledge, and action towards reconciliation have grown, with more people coming to understand the truth of what has and is still happening. Ry Moran in The Secret Path spoke up for Pearl, sister of the late “Charlie” Wenjack, who said, “she had hoped somehow some shred of justice could come to be in this country where his death perhaps might not be in vain" (The Secret Path, 01:14:41). It is the work of many people to raise awareness and help others uncover the truth. Rosyln Chambers, a British Columbia lawyer, spoke to The Prince George Citizen, saying, “The same principles that put residential schools in place are almost identical to what’s happening within the child-welfare system today” (McKenzie). Some people realise how lucky they are never having witnessed atrocities; meanwhile, others continue to experience them in their new modern form. For the most part, conversation and social awareness is bringing about the change we need as a culture.

Individually, nationally, and socially, we are all connected. The First Nations have been saying this to Canada since it was created, in an attempt to bring about reconciliation. Once people slow down and discover the bigger picture, they may come to know that colonialism will not produce the stable, unchanging worldview they so desire. Adjusting one’s reliance on the conventional paradigm of stability is crucial albeit uncomfortable, knowing that the world is dynamic and always changing allows for the growth that happens just beyond the comfort zone. Everything that lives must change. It is up to the individual to reform their perspectives, and then their institutions, for the betterment of all humanity.

Works Cited

Santos, Boaventura de Sousa. "Colonialism and the Epistemology of Ignorance: A Lesson from Afghanistan." Critical Legal Thinking, 30 Aug. 2021, https://criticallegalthinking.com/2021/08/30/colonialism-and-the-epistemology-of-ignorance-a-lesson-from-afghanistan/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023

Randerson, James. “Guantánamo Guards Suffer Psychological Trauma.” The Guardian, 25 Feb. 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/feb/25/guantanamo.guards. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023

Lawler, Moira. “What Is Cognitive Dissonance?” Everyday Health, 21 Sept. 2022, https://www.everydayhealth.com/neurology/cognitive-dissonance/what-does-cognitive-dissonance-mean-theory-definition/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

The Secret Path. CBC Arts, 6 Nov. 2016, https://www.cbc.ca/arts/the-road-to-reconciliation-panel-transcript-1.3839077. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023

Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments. “Assimilation Policies in Canada.” CAID, https://caid.ca/assimilation_policy.html. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.

McKenzie, Anna. “The Child-Welfare System is Residential Schools Part Two, Says Lawyer.” Prince George Citizen, The Discourse, 27 Aug. 2021, https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/highlights/the-child-welfare-system-is-residential-schools-part-two-says-lawyer-4260894. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023