The Awakening of Elizabeth Shaw
THE AWAKENING OF ELIZABETH SHAW
25 Minutes. 1996
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In 1898 Elizabeth Shaw went to the Tsimshian village of Port Simpson in Northern B.C. and worked for five weeks as the Matron of the Crosby Boys’ Home, a residential setting for First Nations children. She was extremely upset by what she saw at the home and left. Later, while teaching in Greenville-Lakalzap, she wrote a letter to the Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist Church describing the bad food and harsh treatment at the Home and detailing a case of physical abuse of a young woman there. Excerpts were forwarded to the Superintendent of the Methodist Church in Toronto who arranged for an investigation. When the investigative report was released stating no change of management was recommended, Mrs. Shaw suffered a breakdown of her health and returned to Ontario.
Five years later, in response to complaints of the same nature from parents and from the Village Band Council, Rev. A.E. Green, the School Inspector and former Methodist Missionary to the North Coast, initiated an investigation which resulted in the Principal’s immediate resignation.
Elizabeth Shaw died in the Brockville Asylum in 1917.
Based on Mrs. Shaw’s original letter The Awakening of Elizabeth Shaw combines an impassioned reading with photographs, other archival material and moving images. This video documents one white woman’s response to the unfair and inhumane treatment of First Nations children in British Columbia’s residential schools.
Co-produced By: Eva Manly and Paul Manly
Directed by: Eva Manly
Director of Photography and Editor: Paul Manly
Distributed by V-tape and Video Out
V-Tape CODE: 238.06
Video Out Accession Number: 2174
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Or you can send a cheque or money order for $30 (includes taxes and shipping) to Box 1093 Stn. A, Nanaimo B.C., V9R 2B2 with a return address and we’ll mail you a DVD.
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I think this woman should be remembered as someone who against the ignorence of her day stood up, to speak out on the behalf of those peoples whose voice would have other wise not been heard. To simply try to make a difference in those boys lives, of which we stole to try and change something we feared and didnt understand. I hope our generation can do better for both nisgaa and white and i believe we can.
Hi:i am always looking for anything pertaining to our history in the mighty Nass.This Dvd.should be interesting,and i take my hat off to the people who stand up for those who are ridiculed.As a first nation’s person,I know what it is like,my siblings were sent away to residential schools and I attended Indian Day School,not a very good experience.I am always seeking history which is knowledge and as a nation that is all we can do.NO,do not forget the past,read about our history it’s important,Thank you for your time.