Through a museum atmosphere created in the John Paul II Collegiate library, both staff and students were given an opportunity to learn about the history of residential schools from Feb. 28 to March 2.
The museum was constructed as a component of the Grade 10 English Language Arts Truth and Reconciliation blended learning unit. It was put together by Tracie Harty and Lindell Gateley, with the help of Ramona Stillar.
The popup museum was open to visitors to the library for three days. During this time, ELA10 students had an opportunity to internalize what they were seeing through a display of images, copies of documents, videos and a timeline of events that was provided by the Hope Foundation. They also had the opportunity to sift through additional literature provided by staff members, the JP II library and the Treaty Six Education Centre Resource Centre.
The Grade 10 blended learning unit was born from a conversation between Harty and Gateley about incorporating Gord Downey's album Secret Path, with illustration by Jeff Lemire, into the curriculum. From this aspiration, it was determined that in order for students to understand the story, they would have to be provided with background information in relation to residential schools, assimilation and the Indian Act.
Downey's album was a gateway to begin building students' understanding of the recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The ELA 10 teachers and students will be spending the month of March using inquiry and exploration in the blended learning unit to further their understanding regarding this critical study.
