The Terry Project on CiTR #37: The Sisters of Saint Ann
The Sisters of Saint Ann taught at Indian Residential Schools in BC until 1985. Now they are downplaying the abuse that took place in these auspicious places. Until now, no one has heard their side of the story.
On episode #37 of the Terry Project on CiTR, Sam Fenn and guest producer Meghan Mast profile Beverly Mitchell and the Sisters of Saint Ann.
Today’s episode features some music by the amazing composer Gustavo Santaolalla. Check him out!
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Update (May 28): Last fall a spokesman for the sisters told Meghan Mast they were in the process of “writing a history of [their] experience” at the schools. Meghan interpreted this to mean they were writing a book. After hearing the piece that same representative emailed to say they are not writing a book, but instead “preparing a report on Sister of Saint Ann involvement in the schools to submit to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.” She wrote that, “this report is based on records in our archives and we are doing it to fulfill our obligations to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Through the National Research Center it will be available to the public.”
Although the piece refers to The Sisters of Saint Ann as “administrators,” they say they simply worked as staff at the schools.
One Response to “The Terry Project on CiTR #37: The Sisters of Saint Ann”
Hi, I found this podcast while researching a history project for my school. I go to Little Flower Academy, a school that used to be run by the Sisters of St. Ann. We actually had a sort of funeral service for Sister Josephine last year. We’re taught about the history of the Sisters, and even visited St. Ann’s Academy in Victoria, but they conveniently leave out the abuse. They didn’t even tell us that they ran residential schools — just normal ones. I did know that they ran an orphanage for Indians, though.
But holy hell, thanks for educating me on my school’s history. Shady stuff still goes on here, but I thought it was just our administration. I didn’t know it was systematic. Seems they’ve moved on from making kids white to making girls pure and anxiety ridden. But that’s besides the point. Thanks for opening my eyes to all of this. I need to be more critical of the things that go on, and I’m going to send this to a few of my friends. They would be super interested in this. Thanks so much for making this!