This is another work by Kent Monkman’s titled Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience. I don't have the details on this one, but again it is a huge in-your-face painting, and it should be. It shows the kidnapping of native children to be sent to boarding schools where all were abused, and many died. The schools had a mission of eradicating the native cultures, it was cultural genocide, and it happened in Canada and the United States. Many of the schools were operated by church missionaries, more interested in converts than education. It is a sad, dark chapter in our history. One we need to learn about, lest we repeat the sins of the past.
Again I applaud the Denver Art Museum for recognizing the value in this work, and in this political climate, having the guts to exhibit this moving and important work of art. We really can't tell the story of indigenous peoples, without recognizing atrocities of European invasion and conquest.
Thank you Denver for being fabulous!
I couldn't agree more I applaud them also, especially in this climate with so many wanting to erase everything.
ReplyDeleteKeep history from repeating itself
DeleteIt is a good work. The same happened here but I understand it was only half bloods who were abducted and taken to missionaries.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of it happening in Australia
DeleteIn this era of erasure, the exhibit is even more meaningful. Incredible work.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what De-inSantis would think?
DeleteWhen I was a kid, we always learned that the "Indians" were the bad guys. Once I started teaching American History, and did my research, I discovered that it was quite the opposite. I always made sure that I included the "shoved under the rug" facts when I taught.
ReplyDeleteThe hidden story. Have you read the logs from Columbus's voyages?
DeleteI have. And I included them when I taught the age of exploration.
DeleteThe world needs more teachers like you.
DeleteThank you. I have retired now, but throughout my career I was never afraid to tackle controversial subjects.
DeleteMy father enlightened me a couple of years ago about these so-called schools. It sickens me what we did, and still do, to people who look, act, worship or love "different."
ReplyDeleteThe survivors are telling their stories
DeleteOne of Kent Monkman's most famous paintings, a residential schools punch in the gut to all Canadians and our iconic RCMP.
ReplyDeleteThe same happened on both sides of the border
DeleteThat was a truly horrific time in our history. What a remarkable painting by a remarkable artist. The Heard Museum here has a whole section on the Indian Schools and what happened during that period. It always feels like a punch in the gut every time I visit that section.
ReplyDeleteI need more time in Phoenix, next trip.
DeleteSomehow the children being dragged away don't seem like native Americans. They look more like modern day kids. I suspect that that is deliberate. The USA and Canada should be proud of their native American heritage and yet even today there's a sense of blotting it all out.
ReplyDelete