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Concordia guest lecture: ARTH 668

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I was invited to present my oral history research at Concordia University, in a graduate class (ARTH 668: Theories and
Methodologies in Art History: Feminist Approaches to Oral History). It’s exciting when opportunities come up that allow me to share my work with other students that have similar interests. Graduate students generally have more experience in research and are in a different place than undergrads. I am truly grateful for these opportunities.

The topic I research (#IndianDaySchools) is a sensitive and difficult topic. I cannot assume that students understand what and Indian Day School is in the first place. I do a general 101 of schooling (Indian Day Schools, Indian Residential Schools) and include mention of child welfare institutions. This work is deeply personal to me. I am very open and candid about my own life experiences and family history. There are risks in being open – vulnerability can mean opportunities for others to do harm. All I can do is live and share my truth.

Niawenhkó:wa to the class for listening and for being respectful.

The instructor (Cynthia) presented me with a beautiful gift, a copy of Rehearsals for Living by Robyn Maynard & Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. I can’t wait to read it 🙂

On a side note, it felt great to be back at Concordia. I missed the vibe there. I don’t miss the parking, construction, and traffic though 😉

~ Wahéhshon

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Education, Grad Studies

Starting my PhD program

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I started my PhD program this month at McGill University in Montreal (PhD in Educational Studies). My summer off was great but it went by so fast! I have to admit that I am not looking forward to doing course work again but I’m hoping it won’t be so bad. It was hard to say goodbye to Concordia after so many years there. I built up this support network for myself and other students and made many friends. It’s hard to start over.

The vibe at McGill is very different from Concordia. I think it might be tough to find my place in this new community at first considering that I only have one course on campus and it’s in the evenings every other week. Basically, I am never on campus! I guess PhD student life is like that.

I am taking a mandatory seminar class with the chair of our department. It’s nice that I get to meet my entire PhD cohort. My peers are doing very different and interesting research project. I’m hoping we’ll bond to support each other because grad student life is so isolating. So far, so good!

Starting a whole other journey with this PhD thing, let’s see where it takes me.

In Peace & Friendship,

Wahéhshon

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