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COURSE NUMBER: THEO 399
COURSE TITLE: Special Topics in History - 2013/14 Winter - The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: Dr William Van Arragon, Roy Berkenbosch
CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION: credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the theology faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: THEO 250

2013/14 Winter

This is a special course that examines the history and consequences of the Indian Residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Presentations will be made primarily by members of the aboriginal community who have direct experience of residential schools and are engaged in the work of reconciliation and healing. It is intended to provide context for the TRC's final National Event, to be held in Edmonton on March 27-30, 2014.

Same as HIST 399
REQUIRED TEXTS: Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Interim Report (February 2012)

Important Historical Documents:
  • Royal Proclamation of 1763
  • An Act to Encourage the Gradual Civilization of Indian Tribes, 1857
  • Indian Act, 1876
  • Report on Industrial Schools for Indians and Half-Breeds, 1879
  • Dr. P. H. Bryce, The Story of a National Crime, 1922
  • White Paper, 1969
  • The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples [RCAP] Final Report, 1996
  • Text of Prime Minister Harper's Apology on behalf of Canadians for the Indian Residential School System, 11 June 2008
  • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2008
MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:
Weekly Journal 30%
Museum Review 15%
Book Review (1500 words) 20%
Final Paper (2500 words) 25%
Hospitality/Attendance/Participation 10%
100%

COURSE OUTLINE:
  • Week 1 Introduction to the Course
    • Roy Berkenbosch and Will Van Arragon
  • Week 2: The Blanket Exercise
    • Harold Roscher: Chaplain and Director, Edmonton Native Healing Centre
    • The Buffalo Moon Project
  • Week 3: "Gently Whispering the Circle Back" - Viewing and Discussion
    • Beth Wishart MacKenzie: Producer/Director
  • Week 4: The Role of the churches
    • Cecile Fausak and Travis Enright
    • Cecile Fausak is the United Church liaison minister for the TRC
    • Reverend Canon Travis Enright is Canon Missioner at All Saints Cathedral in Edmonton
  • Week 5: The Role of the State
    • Janice Makokis: Instructor and Treaty Education Coordinator, Blue Quills First Nations College
  • Week 6: Review Class
  • Week 7: Reading Week, No class
  • Week 8: Residential School Experiences
    • Gordon Burnstick, Health Support Worker, Health Canada
  • Week 9: Health and Social Impacts
    • Brenda Reynolds and Dave Ward
    • Brenda Reynolds is Regional Coordinator for the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
    • Dave Ward is Director of Aboriginal relations with Homeward Trust
  • Week 10: Justice and Settlement Agreement
    • Catherine Coughlan: Counsel, Department of Justice Canada
  • Week 11: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
    • Wilton Littlechild: Commissioner, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission [To be confirmed]
  • Week 12: No Class (TRC National Event in Edmonton, March 27-30; Interdisciplinary Studies Conference, March 26-27)
  • Week 13: Reflecting on the National Even - Discussion and Debriefing
    • Led by Roy Berkenbosch and Will Van Arragon
  • Week 14: Reflecting on Reconciliation
    • Terry LeBlanc: Executive Director, my People International; Founder and Chair, North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies
  • Week 15: Review


Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.

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