Radio advertisement calling effects of residential schools myths causes controversy on Prairies
REGINA, SASK. — A radio advertisement that played in parts of the Prairies has caused controversy after calling the effects of residential schools as myths.
According to Katelyn Wilson with Global Regina, The ad begins with a voiceover from Rod Currie, a former broadcaster in Saskatchewan, asking “Are Canadians being told the whole truth about residential schools?”
It goes on to call the claims residential schools did not rob children indigenous children of their childhoods, and did not lead to intergenerational trauma “myths.” It also says there’s no evidence abuse suffered by a grandparent in residential schools had any affect on the academic success on future generations.
The ad was purchased by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, a Canadian think tank based in Winnipeg, and aired on several radio stations on September 13. It was brought to attention by a blogger in Saskatchewan.