Halifax Residents Confront History of Indigenous Boarding Schools Through Film
HALIFAX – A short film, Back to holy Angels, by Jay cardinal Villeneuve, sparked profound reflection among viewers at the Canadian Immigration Museum at Pier 21 in Halifax, prompting discussions about truth and reconciliation and the lasting impact of Canada’s residential school system. The film focuses on the history of Lena Wandering Spirit, one of approximately 150,000 Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families and sent to these schools.
The screening was part of a day dedicated to education on Indigenous issues, highlighting the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices and perspectives. Don Ferris, a Halifax resident who grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, shared his recollections of playing hockey against students from boarding schools, describing the institutions as “austere [and] sad.” His wife, Jeanne Ferris, emphasized the film’s emotional resonance, stating, “I found that this film had a real emotional impact. And for that, I am grateful. As it is indeed something to hear about these events, to say that it was a long time ago, that it does not really touch our daily life… But presented in this way, it really touched me.”
The residential school system operated in Canada for over 150 years, with the last school closing in 1996. The schools were frequently enough run by churches and funded by the government, and were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, often through harsh discipline and the suppression of Indigenous languages and traditions. The legacy of these schools continues to affect Indigenous communities today, contributing to intergenerational trauma, loss of culture, and systemic inequalities.
following the screening, the museum’s coordinator underscored the need for increased representation of Indigenous filmmakers, recognizing their work as offering vital and alternative perspectives.
