UNeducation, Vol 1: A Residential School Graphic Novel (PG)

by Jason Eaglespeaker

The chilling chronicles of a Native family's government-sanctioned exploitation in the North American residential/boarding school systems. What began as a grassroots fundraiser, "UNeducation, Vol 1: A Residential School Graphic Novel" is now used in school curriculum, university syllabus', treatment/corrections centre resources, healing initiatives, government agencies and educational trainings worldwide. Now available to the public, in softcover and ebook form, for the first time. Gain a full and proper education about a dark episode in North American history. The highly anticipated next chapter in the series, "UNeducation, Vol 2: The Side of Society You Don't See On TV" is coming soon.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Comics, Comic Book, Historical

88 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2014

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 for content and story telling. Lower than a 1 story for the formatting for the kindle edition.

Let's get the bad out of the way - I tried this in both the new Comixology app and the kindle app, and in those formats it is not an easy read. I highly suggest that if you are going to read this book, and you should, to get a physical copy because the eformat is not good and impacts the readability of this book.

In terms of the book itself, it is worth the read. The combination of story telling and reproductions of actually newspaper articles is excellent. The drawings are kid friendly and while depicting the abuse are not done in a way that will get most parents upset. The use of both past and present as well as the long term impact of schools is also great.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Social Studies 10 teacher I’d like to have a copy of this for my classroom. The PG version may be more appropriate, though I wonder how much it edits out.
It was a tough read (anything regarding genocide is) but also accessible in the format. I liked the use of primary sources and personal accounts from multiple perspectives.
I’m glad my library had this.

[Dr. des. Siobhán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today is Columbus day (really hope it will be Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2020 -.-) and what better day than to read about the genocide in Canada, more specifically about Residential Schools. If you do not know Residential Schools, you should look it up. Until the early 1960s, Native Children were seperated from their parents, forced into these so-called schools in order for the "child to be saved" (supposedly) and to "kill the Indian". And they did just that: they cut the children's hair, they were forbidden to speak their Native languages, meet their parents and connect with their cultures. This trauma persists until this very day and will for a long time.

The comic combines newspaper snippets, information and explaination, plus very personal accounts on how it felt to come from a breathing, living culture (coloured panels) into the grey residential schools where that part of yourself was taken away from you (panels only in grey). Emotionally hard to read, but necessary.

Especially as a white person you should learn about this gruesome part of American history (boarding schools in America they were called) and try to be aware of specific Indigenous issues, starting with the genocide that Columbus began. Not only Colombus Day persists but many more problems that are not covered in this comic, but which will be covered by the next one.

5 Stars even though its mixture of info first, comic story line after that, confused me a bit.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

CW: racism, segregation, trauma, abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), rape, torture, mention of suicide, substance abuse

This is a hard-hitting graphic novel and I think it should be a compulsory read for everyone. We mentioned in class that knowledge about residential schools is a little more widespread nowadays because there has been some media attention etc but usually you just hear about it on the news and it's very far away.
While reading this book, the events could not stay far away, you are confronted with so many recounts of unspeakably horrible things people went through in residential schools and, at least to me personally, the final section of comics definitely made me tear up and I thought it was most effective.

I liked the concept and intermediality of this graphic novel although the beginning with all the newspaper clippings was a little hard to read. (This is also the reason I took off half a star.) Quotes by official sources and even maybe things readers might think (along the lines of "it's been a long time since things like this happened") and then the contents of that are simply proven wrong and criticized. This work also explicitly mentioned every single person's responsibility to educate themselves about events, the importance of recognizing repercussions in the present that are due to what happened in the past.

I also loved that in the comic section Blackfoot (as far as I deduced) was used and sometimes the English translations were really hard to see within the pictures which I was unbothered by.
After reading this I'm also committing myself to finding more Indigenous authors to read and resources to educate myself because I must admit my knowledge about Indigenous people and the different First Nation tribes is very limited and still majorly informed by all the stereotypes that prevail.

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel depicts not only the horrors of the residential schools but the long-term negative effects they have had on First Nations. Every Canadian settler should read this book.

[Kerryn Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first graphic novel, and what a powerful book! Residential schools from a First Nations pov. Highly recommended!

[Wei-Wei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect introduction to the horrors of the residential/boarding school mandates in North America that resulted in the collective abuse of Native American children and the generations beyond. From identity erasure, language limitation, physical and mental abuse, to sexual abuse, the graphic novel touches on the various ways boarding schools cut off children from their cultures and took them from their families. This created repercussions in their developmental course and in their own parenting abilities later on. Many of those experiences created capacity for alcoholism, abuse, and culture negation. It's important to understand the history of what our governments did to Indigenous peoples. It's important to understand the type of genocide that occurred even up until 1996 in Canada.

[Victoria France · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing message in an easy to read format

A good introduction to some of the many hardships the Native Americans/ First Nations people have experienced and continue to experience.

I've read other histories in more "formal" formats and often found myself skimming over sections of "fluff" or "filler" to get back to the original message of the book and this graphic novel had none of that. The author did not beat around the bush to make facts less painful to read and I really liked that.

My family had gone through similar situations with government schools so I felt a connection while reading this.

Good read, looking forward to the next volume.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few books that can express the horror of residential schools in a way that can be easily understood by young and old, native and non-native alike. This is able to capture past and present through brilliant use of colour and black and white panels. it conveys tragic emotion as well as a feeling of helplessness. I want to have my students study this book as I believe everyone should read it.

[Rachel McKenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. A mixture of interview, hypothetical question, and cartoon exploring Canada's residential school era and the horrible, long lasting side effects. Worth checking out, and worth considering if looking for a way to bring that history to the high school classroom.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty quick read that uses newspaper clippings, art, and personal storytelling to educate (white people) about the negative and pervasive impact of of Canadian & US boarding school policies on indigenous families and individuals.

I really appreciated the historical news clippings and felt they anchored the graphic novel in the real world context. The newspaper clippings sections featured pieces by both white and native people, and the juxtaposition is skillful. The graphic novel/ comic strip sections also put white people and natives together in the present, having conversations that lead to more understanding of our shared past. This is a really nice frame to set the learning within; I found it to be engaging as a reader. This book is accessible to a wide audience - the author has taken care to ensure the content is appropriate for a younger, PG audience. I feel comfortable sharing this book with my daughter, who devours graphic novels.

My biggest takeaway from this book is understanding the challenges native american families face in raising their children. The trauma of boarding schools has multiplied because when the government stole the children, they also stole parenting skills and the sense of security that families can provide. Without parenting skills and secure attachments, whites have dug a deep hole for native american families to climb out of. Understanding and compassion are only first steps, but this book nails that beginning. Having read this book, I can be more sensitive to the trauma experienced by native americans in my interactions with them, and I can speak to other white people with confidence about how boarding school policies have harmed native families today.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native American author - although in Canada they use the words "aboriginal" or "indigenous", is Blackfoot and Duwamish from Calgary. (His folks called him "that little half-buffalo half-salmon.). "Uneducation". It is graphic in more ways than one. He writes about being forcibly removed from his parents as a child, and sent to a Residential School until his teen years. Families were not allowed to visit. In those days this was Canadian law. Later changed, thank God. But the exact same thing happened here, often in "Mission Schools" run by churches. The children's hair was cut - long hair was evil. Their clothes were taken away, and any sign of being Indian. They were not allowed to speak their native language. Punishment for any of these infractions was harsh. The stated goal was to "kill the Indian in the child." The cartoonish graphics of the book barely take the edge off the reality. How many people really know all the things done to Native Americans? In the US, they were made citizens in 1924, but in some states couldn't vote until 1957. And many of the mission schools in the USA were as brutal as the Canadian system in this book. I grew up on the edge of the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, so I've heard these tales for years. The author gives us a first-hand account.

[Clara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here too, I at first thought to refrain from giving a review cause I have to read this for a college class I absolutely loathe, but this one was too much. It had good intentions and its contents are real and should be known, no question, but the fact that unspeakable trauma and misery such as rape and other sexual abuse, loss and neglect is pictured in such a childish way really doesn't sit right with me. I believe there must be a certain respect when dealing with these things. Visualizations of rape that look like a four-year-old drew them just concern me.
The newspaper articles in comparison were so badly printed that it hurt to look at it.
All in all, maybe there is a better and more adequate way to portray the suffering of the Natives.

[Lindsay Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know anything about the Canadian scheme of taking Native children from their communities, not allowing them to speak in their own languages, and 'educating' them in English. I'm glad that someone recommended this to me.

This graphic novel explains the generational trauma that exists as a result of these schools operating until the 1990's.

I really liked the style of the novel as it started with newspaper articles about the schools, and then went onto explain some of the experiences survivors have described.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and informative. I was aware of all the facts the author presents but the medium allows visuals where photos are not reasonable and text however descriptive would have a hard time revealing the truth.

The last story “the cycle” is as horrifying as anything I’ve ever read and reminded me of Art Speigelman’s “Maus” in its power to so simply and effectively convey the worst humanity has to offer.

[Brynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book showcases the impact of residential schools better than anything I was "taught" in high school. I wish me and my peers were given the opportunity to read in school. It's a hard read at times but more importantly it's the truth. It doesn't mince words and gets the point across clearly. Recommend this highly to everyone but especially teachers looking for Indigenous resources in their classrooms.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is really well done. A mixture of news articles, interviews, photographs, and sequential art make for a powerful way to learn about the residential schools in Canada. I got the PG version because that was what my library had available, and I will need to see about ordering volume 2 because this is something that people need to read.

[Inga Kruse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unyielding exposure of residential schools.

This book should be in history classes in every school in Canada. It is such an important story and feels close up and personal to the reader. The author doesn’t blink, so his readers shouldn’t either.
“When will the cycle ever end?”

When indeed. Highly recommend.

[Sarah Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard and necessary, especially for Canadians. I read the 100 page uncut version and the final story is gut wrenching. The mixed media of newspaper clippings, quotes, photos, and comics makes it compelling despite the visceral emotions- a friend of mine who never reads even picked it up off the counter and spent an hour reading and learning, which sparked a great conversation.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newspaper clippings, pictures, and graphic novel combine to make a powerful education on the Canadian residential school system. This was a hard read, but because I did not know about this part of Canadian history, a very educational read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me aware that families were not able to opt out of residential school. source of the frustration.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an important part of our history told in unique and vulnerable way.

[Jessica Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

[Reeve Klatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information!! A few parts were difficult to read due to font/spacing.

[Adrián · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shocking, upsetting, honest and necessary. Let the horrible memories bring light into the pain of Native Americans and keeps us from repeating this dark part of history.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heavy subject matter. Eye opening.

[Cayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cool collection separated into different sections. I loved the newspaper section especially!