Continuing Murray Sinclair’s Vision in Treaty 7 Territory
Tiffany Dionne Prete, an Assistant Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Lethbridge, has spent nearly thirty years delving into the historical archives in search of her People’s stories – the Kainai (Blood Tribe) in the treaty territory of Treaty 7 in Alberta. Her journey began in childhood when she discovered the absence of ancestral photographs that were common among her peers due to the scarcity of cameras in Indigenous communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This realization sparked her passion for archival research in her adulthood as she sought to retrace her lineage through historical records and Tribal narratives.
As she pursued her graduate studies at the University of Alberta, Prete’s commitment to archival research deepened. Working as a research assistant for the Aboriginal Healing through Language and Culture project, she collaborated with Roman Catholic Oblate missionaries to access historical records of Indigenous Peoples in the North West, her own People included. However, challenges arose due to limitations imposed by ongoing litigation related to the Residential School Settlement class-action suit, hindering her access to crucial documents and restricting photocopying. This experience underscored the persistent obstacles faced by Indigenous researchers in reclaiming their histories and emphasized the need for equitable access to historical records.
Growing up in a community where discussions about residential schools were scarce, Prete was acutely aware of the silence surrounding this traumatic chapter in Canada’s history. As the child of a residential school Survivor, she witnessed the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma caused by the systemic abuses inflicted by the Canadian government and religious organizations running these institutions. Despite efforts by Survivors to share their stories, the prevailing narrative in Canada portrayed residential schools as beneficial to Indigenous advancement, perpetuating misinformation about their true impact.
The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a turning point in challenging this distorted narrative. Through the documentation of Survivor testimonies and the exposure of institutional abuses, the TRC debunked the myth of residential schools’ benevolence, paving the way for a more nuanced understanding of Canada’s colonial history and its repercussions on Indigenous communities. Fifteen years ago, during the release of the 94 Calls to Action by the TRC, former chair Justice Murray Sinclair emphasized the significance of acknowledging Survivor experiences before it was too late, urging Canada to confront the legacy of residential schools and facilitate truth, healing, and reconciliation.
Inspired by Justice Sinclair’s call to action, Prete embarked on a mission to reclaim her People’s history, which had long been overlooked in Canada’s historical narrative. Responding to Call to Action No. 78, which urged communities to research and share their residential school experiences, Prete collaborated with Blood Tribe Elders to reinterpret archival records and shed light on the Stolen Children Era – a period marked by the government’s assimilation strategies towards Indigenous children. Through their collective efforts, they aimed to amplify their voices, challenge historical inaccuracies, and reclaim their narratives through a lens of authenticity and resilience.
As Prete continues her research and prepares for an exhibition focusing on the Stolen Children Era, her dedication to honoring her People’s heritage and confronting colonial legacies underscores the importance of storytelling, truth-telling, and community-led initiatives in preserving Indigenous histories and fostering healing and reconciliation.
