It Cannot Be Flipped Off

Between 1940 and 1980, an estimated 1,560 to 2,600 school-aged Gitxsan children were apprehended and interned for sustained periods of up to 13 years with periodic summer breaks in one of Canada's Indian Residential Schools. The apprehension of a 6 year-old from a Gitxsan family and impact is a story in itself. But to apprehend up to 2,600 for a sustained period of 40 years? It cannot be flipped off as inconsequential.

What is the consequence of whole generations of Gitxsan scooped from the embrace of the mothers and fathers and out of sight? What is the consequence for the wilphl Gitxsan, the extended family, the most fundamental entity in Gitxsan Society? And, what of the pdek, the phratry, and the ka li aks Gitxsan? Simogyat Dawa Muux, Wilps Dawa Muux, considered this question. At the Eyes Wide Open II: The Impact of the IRS Experience 2-day conference, he characterized the impact in epic proportions. The Gitxsan story has not been told as of yet.

Alas, the impact of the IRS experience is just now garnering nominal attention. I anticipate the interest will grow but it will never be high appeal. Not all the simgigyat will be willing to take the stones out of their mouths to discuss this one. The Gitxsan are reluctant to visit issues that are not high appeal and characterize us a anemic. The IRS experience is one.

But, those who weigh in will soon discover that our dismal state of the nation will eventually lead to the search for answers. They will soon conclude that historic trauma, historic trauma transmission, and the Indian Residential School experience are major factors, in tandem with associated subsequent lethargy. Their curiousity will lead to further investigation. The findings will make them cry, then angry, then it will cause an invocation of metal and resolve to manifest their omni-present daxgyat (authority, strength, and confidence) for more moments of awakenings and empowerment towards dim lipyathl nu'im (We will be a free people, again).

Thereafter, I pray intensely that at some point soon, the Gitxsan will covet their vital essence and identity, not their band membership. They will conclude that having a band number pursuant to the Indian Act, statute of Canada, does not make them Gitxsan nor does it replace Gitxsanship. The Gitxsan will conclude that the core of being Gitxsan survived the phenomena of historic trauma, historic trauma transmission, and the Indian Residential School experience.

The foregoing is the best case scenario but regretfully it will probably will not happen that way. Perhaps we are too far down the assimilation road. Perhaps Canada's social engineering through their Indian Residential School system is just now realizing its harvest.

I do not think so. I bet the Gitxsan will take inventory of their battered currency. I bet they will conclude that the inner core of being Gitxsan did survive the sustained assault by mainstream Canada and churches through the residential experience. It survived historic trauma. It will halt historic trauma transmission. I bet the Gitxsan will see the gaping festering wound. The halyts will be summoned; they will set into motion swanasxw and, finally, apply the balm for relief, curing, and healing.

If not? Then Duncan Campbell Scot, the architect of the assimilation policy and the Indian Residential School system, will indeed be the victorious visionary and prophet mandarin of the evolving mainstream Canada. Then his script is still being played out.

Who will win? The Gitxsan. Bravado? Maybe. But, for Gitxsan sake, let it not be just bravado.

Kindest regards,

Kali Skalan, Wilps Dawa Muux, Kali Aks Gitxsan

Image Credits: The brick wall is an icon of the Indian Residential School and a metaphor for the internment of Gitxsan school-aged children and what happened behind brick walls.