Poster Subject: Indigenous Studies

Poster Title: Learning the Unlearned: A Call for Settler Education on Residential Schools in NL, Canada, and Beyond

Bio: Kailey Murrin (She/Her) is a second-year undergraduate student in the Department of Psychology at Memorial University, specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience. While her research interests centre on chemistry and biochemistry, she became interested in Indigenous Studies while taking ARCH 1000: Introduction to Archaeology. This experience inspired her to deepen her understanding of Indigenous perspectives and share that knowledge with fellow settlers. Jared T. Hogan (He/Him) is a settler from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, whose research explores the representation of Indigenous Peoples in museums and education spheres. Currently, Jared is a PhD Candidate in Archaeology and a Per Course Instructor in Anthropology, Archaeology, Education, and Sociology at Memorial. 

Abstract: This poster is inspired by two settler students who did not learn about Residential Schools in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada, or beyond until their Undergraduate Studies. Both Kailey (Undergraduate Student in Psychology) and Jared (PhD Candidate in Archaeology) only learned about Residential Schools and Indigenous history during their first few semesters of University. While Jared completed his Undergraduate Studies at Memorial in 2021, Kailey only learned recently about Residential Schools in NL from Jared’s ARCH 1000: Introduction to Archaeology course this semester (fall 2024). Thus, showing that much work is still needed to draw awareness on Indigenous history in this province. Therefore, this poster aims to educate other settlers (students, faculty, and the public alike) on Residential Schools in NL and other colonial states. Residential Schools dispossessed First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children of their families and homes with the aim of eliminating their cultural identities and languages—resulting in the assimilation of Indigenous Peoples into white, Euro-Canadian society. This caused a significant loss of culture, exposed children to sexual, physical, and mental abuse, and harmed family relationships—impacting not only the Survivors but also their families. While contemporary settlers are not accountable for the past, they must educate themselves about historical injustices and work toward meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Nations.

Corresponding Author's Email: jthogan@mun.ca