The Bloomer Story

The personal remembrance that I was most struck by in the Lomawaina article was that of the bloomer story that seemed to be a common experience for women in residential schools. The domesticity that the government attempted to impose on First Nations girls was often done through imposing control of sexuality. Controlling the sexuality of women was often used over the course of history in order to subjugate women. The missionaries continued this process in First Nations communities. They were able to mold the minds of children through the control of their bodies.

Using the regimentation of the body as a site of power, was intended to make girls more subservient and submissive (Lomawaina, 1993). Creating this submission to the will of the Church was intended to create of future of Christianity in the homes of First Nations communities. Abandoning the teachings of First Nations mothers was necessary in order to ensure that assimilation occurred. Mothers were targeted as the future of assimilation. In all cultures, much teaching stems from mothers. The Church and government were aware of this when they focused more on the moral education of girls as opposed to boys.

The aspect of regimentation that I was most struck by was the regimentation of undergarments and the most private part of girl's lives while they were at the schools. There was rebellion against this control in the schools. Girls would find creative ways to ensure that the nuns thought they were indeed compliant, while the girls were able to wear their own clothing under their outer appearance. Controlling women's sexuality is pervasive aspect of history that was only recently addressed through the rise of feminism. The ability to access birth control and allow women to have control over their bodies has allowed for women to control the path of their lives. While the rise of feminism was occurring, the girls in residential schools were still having their sexuality controlled and regulated. Sexuality remains to this day regarded as something more shameful in many First Nations communities because of the indoctrination of Christianity.

A consequence of this creation of shameful sexuality, perhaps an unforeseen one, is the reality of the lower regard for the sexuality of First Nations women and consequently a lower regard for their lives. Amnesty International has identified that Stolen Sisters in Canada as a problem that needs to be addressed. It is necessary to revalue the sexuality of First Nations women in Canada, as opposed to making them a acceptable targets for assault and rape. Teachings of the Church still need to be addressed in the present in order to revalue the lives of women. How we move forward in this vein will truly act in reconciliation.

Reference
Lomawaina, K. T. (1993, May). Domesticity in the federal Indian schools: The power of authority over mind and body. American Ethnologist, 20(2), 227-240.