Native and Non-Native Voices on the Residential School Issue and Historical Revisionism: Writing Between the Times
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Native and Non-Native Voices on the Residential School Issue and Historical Revisionism: Writing Between the Times
Wayne A. Holst
University of Calgary
Calgary (Alberta)
HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE FUTURE
On December 11th, 1997 the Supreme Court of Canada issued a landmark ruling that will undoubtedly influence the future of historiography. Even though the ruling in a case formally defined by the court as "Delgamuukw vs. British Columbia" was given in response to an appeal requiring clarity in the process of provincial land claim settlements4 the application of the Court's decision is likely to extend well beyond the judiciary. The key issue centres on defining valid historical testimony in a court of law. The Supreme Court determined that courts must now seriously consider aboriginal evidence presented in the form of oral history. Native oral historyalthough based on legend, stories and frequent retelling must henceforth be accepted as valid by the courts. The integrity of First Nations' history is now entrenched in law.
This ruling gives Native voice unprecedented validation in the larger society. It reflects the Native peoples' transformation from pagans, non-citizens and wards of the state to increasingly recognised members of societies within Confederation. It places aboriginal experience on a par with others. It also helps to point the way forward, as Canadians try to come to terms with their longstanding cultural biases against Native people.
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