Arson a form of self-expression

Vincent J. Curtis

15 June 21

RE: Arson causes major damage to Six Nations church. Hamilton Spectator 15 June 21

And you wonder why residential schools were residential and not on reserves?

Arson must be a form of self-expression on Six Nations.  A few months ago the home of the chief of Six Nations’ elected band council was torched, apparently for insufficient enthusiasm for the illegal occupation of the Foxgate properties.  Now, a historic Anglican church gets torched, after careful plotting and a 3:30 a.m. break-in.

Can you wonder at the safety of lonely missionaries trying to teach a few Indian children the wonders of math and Shakespeare while living on a reserve?  Not very effective, or safe, obviously.

The residential style of schooling comported with the best educational institutions in Britain and Canada of those days, with examples such as Eton, Harrow, Hillfield, Upper Canada College, and Ridley College.  Robert Land Academy is a residential school.

If the goal was to educate the Indian, residential schools were the obvious choice for the better likelihood of success, to accumulate sufficient numbers to create a school environment, and for the safety of the instructors.

It was a mistake to try to educate Indian children.  The churches should never have agreed to work as agents of the Federal government.

No good deed goes unpunished.

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