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Please take care

This page discusses topics that may be distressing and awaken memories of past traumatic experiences and abuse.

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The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

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Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.

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First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

McDougall Historic Church 

Heritage sites may not be the main focus of this project, but if Îethka ownership of culture and historic materials is, maybe that includes questions and thoughts about the "old church."

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In February 2020 the Nakoda Nation attempted to stop a permit application from the McDougall Stoney Mission Society (MSMS) to rebuild their historic church building. This is only the most recent advocacy that Îethka people have taken up regarding the old church and its lands and story. There are a lot of complex issues involved in the historic site, including questions of land ownership and resource use, presence of both support for and opposition to the MSMS in Morley, a history of lack of collaboration with Îethka people from the MSMS, and an even longer history of deep trauma caused by the McDougall family, missionaries, and residential schools. Yet, many Îethka people remain strong in their christian beliefs, and some value the old church for other reasons. 

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Below I have tried to gather materials that could be useful for Îethka people to know more about the MSMS. In many ways Îethka people could play an important role in what happens on and to the lands currently held by the MSMS. Answering tough questions together as a community, including "what do we want to happen to this land?" and "how do we want to tell this story" could be useful steps towards healing for those who need it.

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McDougall Stoney Mission Society Website

This site was only recently established (approximately 2018) and it seems like an attempt towards greater transparency from the Society. For many years prior, many Îethka people reported to me that it was very hard to get information about the old church, or to get in contact with its board. I can also attest to this; when I worked with Stoney Education I tried to arrange field trips to the site and never was able to get any response from the Society. This may be because it is a small volunteer run organization with no staff, or there could be other reasons.

 

Information about the Residential Schools that the McDougall's operated

The McDougall Mission operated several schools at their current site and in Morley between 1883 - 1910. Although the McDougall family and the United Church were deeply involved in the operation of these schools, the MSMS has historically avoided discussion of these in context of the residential school era and the harms it has caused. As a warning, this page contains material that may be difficult to read.

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Information regarding the fire & rebuilding process

The MSMS was required to apply for approval from the district of Bighorn in order to rebuild their church after the fire. This page has links to articles about this recent history, as well as the documents that were provided by MSMS to the district in order to make their case for rebuilding.

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My research about the historic site and Îethka people

I have been thinking about this site a lot, and trying to learn what it means to Îethka people. So far I understand that different people and families have different feelings about the site. Some are looking forward to working with the MSMS so they will have a place they are welcome to worship and preach, others feel deeply hurt by the legacy of the McDougall family and missionaries, and for them the site is a difficult place. Some wish to see it restored, others would prefer a different outcome. The Nation's case against the restoration seemed mostly concerned with land ownership and working to get the site returned to Nation control. Most Îethkabies I spoke with about it want some role for Îethka people in determining how stories are told at the site. This is what recent representatives have also said they want, but it is the Society's position that Îethka people do not have a right to decide what happens there. I presented my research on the Historic Church at the Association for Preservation Technology conference in October 2020. I was hoping this presentation would help encourage people involved in heritage conservation to explore the complexities in their work. The presentation is recorded in the video below.

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Records of Morley Residential Schools ​

The research team has found several sites where records of the different schools that operated in Morley are kept. Some are related to the McDougall Orphanage and School, and others are related to the United Church run school (McDougalls were Methodists, some Methodists joined with other Christian groups and formed the United Church in 1925). and the Government run schools. We have gathered the records we've found here. ​ Again, this page contains material that may be difficult to read or see. 

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