Darren and I chose to work collaboratively to create a digital spoken letter that is not only to be sent to Georgina and Marilyn but to all survivors of Residential Schools in Canada.
We chose the PowerPoint medium because we wanted the viewer to be interactive with the slides at their own pace so they could focus on their emotions while feeling the music and images. The chosen images represent indigenous culture and healing. The quote “unsettling the settler” is in direct correlation to reconciliation and how non indigenous people need to feel unsettled before they can begin to authentically listen with their hearts and minds to indigenous Residential School stories. Darren and I chose this song Kokum’s Lullaby by Ed Peekaeekoot because the crying baby in the beginning of the song speaks of birth, renewal and new beginnings. Also, grandmothers pass down traditional indigenous family values something Georgina and Marilyn didn’t experience. They didn’t receive Kokum’s love because they were stolen from their family and communities through no fault of their own.
Darren,
I felt a personal connection to Georgina because her testimony was very heartfelt which made me want to honor and validate that by writing her a personal response.
Dana,
I was drawn to Marilyn because she refused to talk about her pain, instead wanted to move forward. This speaks of transformation and renew. I was deeply moved by what she has done for herself and for community. I wanted to show my respect and acknowledge her achievements by writing a personal response.
With kind regards,
Darren & Dana
