HRE1O

Name: ___Megan____________________

Creation, De-Creation, Re-Creation: Being a Good Steward

Over the last week, we have been learning about what it means to be a good steward of the environment and
human dignity. Many biblical figures have also been called to do so. Some have been successful, while some faced
failures and challenges. In the end, we must always try to re-create and reconcile ourselves with God and our calling
to be a good steward.

Canada is in the process of Reconciliation (Re-Creation) with the Indigenous people of Canada who face serious and
heartbreaking hardships (both in the past and present), broken promises, and face continued social degradation.

You will watch a documentary that aired in 2016 outlining how Canada is still failing to support
Indigenous students and youth in Canada. While watching the documentary, answer the following
questions to gain insight and reflect on how you, and we, can be better stewards going forward to
our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

😊
WARNING: the documentary does contain some graphic and serious content. I invite you to please speak with
me or another trusted adult if you have questions or concerns. We are always here to help

1. What is your understanding of a First Nations reserve?

Instead of living freely as regular citizens, they were pushed into reserves and neglected by the
government. The reserves are there to be able to assimilate and take away the rights of First Nations
people. They’re human rights were stolen and they had to beg or live without fresh water, education,
shelter and food.

2. What are some similarities between the high school in the documentary and St Aquinas?
Differences? (the building, people, cafeteria, resources available, students, etc)
Similarities Differences
-They had classes -The washrooms didn't have running water
-Washrooms -The school smelt like sewage
-Kind teachers -The building was falling apart
-Students and friends -Leaks
-Activities in the gym or outside -Big gaps in the floor which caused kids to trip
-Specifically for First Nations
-Had to drive them back home for safety.

3. Students at DFK also face bullying at school, but also some extreme racism in the outer community.
Why do you think that is? Have you ever felt like this before?

Some people who are not first nations don’t understand the fact that first nations are also people. They
feel a strong sense of power over first nations so they take advantage of it. They call out racist things to
them thinking it’s okay and they don’t belong there. Living in the USA and Canada after coming from
the Philippines I get a lot of comments on my skin colour and race. I would hear a lot of my classmates
saying “ching chong” or “dim dum” and then they would stretch out their eyes so it appeared smaller.
Those are moments that happened to me but I could never know how the First Nations people feel.
 HRE1O

4. Reserve high schools are government-funded (strictly Federal government funds), yet are not
serviced or taken care of as publicly-funded (our tax $) schools are. Why isn’t the government taking
care of the schools they are responsible for? Is the government being a true steward of Human
Dignity? Explain.

The government probably thinks that if they are able to give them a school it would make them look
good in public. But in reality they don’t take care of it and just leave the students with poor
infrastructure and supplies. The government will do anything they want especially towards people with
lower status. They don’t treat everyone equally, especially the First Nations. They don’t take into
consideration for the First Nations people and they take away their basic human rights or make it
harder for them. This does not show leadership nor a true steward of Human Dignity.

5. How is Shannen a good steward? What actions and attitude has she put forward to help get results
for her community?

She has raised awareness and at such a young age she fought for her rights and the needs of her
people. She stood up to adults who are higher status than her, she even made inspirational speeches
towards leaders and governments. She was confident, proud to be First Nations but disgusted towards
the people who treat her and the First Nations like garbage. She is very sentimental and she fought for
everything she stood for, she impacted her community a lot.

6. If you were to continue Shannen’s Dream as a steward, what are some plans of action you would
want to organize and commit to in order to assist the Indigenous youth in Canada?

Definitely help them with basic needs like fresh running water, clean facilities like school and food. I
would try to raise awareness and start a fundraiser to help towards funds to help the First Nations.
Build a school so they don’t have to leave home and stay many kms away from their family just for
education.

7. What is something that you learned after watching this documentary? Were you shocked? Not
surprised? Explain using an example/reference to the documentary.

I learned a lot about indeginous people in grade 8, but I learned it in french. So I already knew a lot of
the information that the documentary gave. Like how the girl had to fly away from her family just to
attend school and the schools in the reserves were in poor condition. Their basic human needs were
being neglected by the government and had to be fought for, I already knew that. It’s awful that these
things are happening and are still happening today. One thing that was shocking is that there are still
schools that are just for First Nations people. I thought all high schools were more diverse and open
right now, but apparently not.