Putting residential schools into focus
Indigenous poster campaign meant to spark discussions
WATERLOO REGION — Historical images from residential schools will soon pop up around Waterloo Region as part of a new Indigenous poster campaign.
Called “I am Affected,” the poster campaign aims to create awareness of the legacy of Canada’s residential school system and the trauma experienced by its survivors.
“Each poster shows a different issue that affects Indigenous communities with a photo underneath of a local Indigenous person affiliated with the Kitchener-Waterloo area,” said Luane Roberts, community justice co-ordinator at Waterloo Region Community Legal Services. “It’s meant to show there are still lasting effects of Indian residential schools, racism and discrimination.”
One of the five posters depicts an image of a real Kijiji ad that was found posted online. It reads: “3 bedroom east flat house, no natives please.”
This is one example of the ongoing discrimination Indigenous people still face today, Roberts said. The campaign hopes to start conversations about how trauma from past generations, also known as intergenerational trauma, affects Indigenous people like herself.
“My mom was in a residential school, and that affected me,” Roberts said. “I lost my culture, I lost my language and I am still affected by that.”
The posters will be displayed at various Indigenous centres across the region, including ones at Conestoga College and University of Waterloo.
Roberts said she is also talking to the cities of Waterloo and Kitchener to see if some posters could be put on display in city buildings.
This campaign may be new to Waterloo Region, but it was started by Ahwenehaode, Indigenous Justice Program in Hamilton a few years ago. Hollee George was part of that project, as well as the team that brought the poster campaign to the region.
One of the five posters depicts an historical image of a two-spirited person, someone in the Indigenous community who identifies as having both a male and female spirit. This particular poster also features an image of George in the bottom corner as an example of a modern-day two-spirited person.
“We are still here experiencing that trauma,” George said. “It’s important to educate people about Indigenous history so there is a greater understanding and awareness.”
To learn more about the campaign, see www.iamcommitted.ca.