The Indian residential school was a government-implemented institution that engulfed all aspects of an Indigenous child’s life. As the long silence is being shattered and more survivors tell their stories, the full scope of the tragedy of residential school discrimination and abuse is gradually being revealed. In the documentary, Muffins for Granny, Nadia McLaren offers a raw perspective of the practices and repercussions of residential schools through interviews with seven First Nations elders. Their honest face-to-face accounts are paired with stark animated moments and home movie footage to illustrate this difficult chapter in Indigenous and Canadian history that, for many, is not over (McLaren, 2006). Through the strength of personal narratives,
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McLaren’s choice to explore and share the stories of multiple elders in Muffins for Granny emulates the respect for individuality and diversity within the principles of Indigenous health, contributing to the ongoing healing process of these First Nations elders (Morgan, 2017). Towards the end of the film, Ralph Johnson describes the mindset that has pulled him through his turbulent times, referring back to his Indigenous beliefs by acknowledging the Creator and his aim to operate from an internal place of love (McLaren, 2006). Furthermore, Alice Littledear alludes to the strength of her soul and Roy Thomas shows appreciation for the many teachings his elders shared with him as a child (McLaren, 2006). The power of their Indigenous identities despite trauma strongly demonstrates a sense of cultural resilience, denoted as the role that tradition and culture play as a resource for resilience within an individual (Fleming & Ledogar, 2008). This influence, however, can transcends the individual to the community level of resilience (Fleming & Ledogar, 2008). All seven First Nations elders alike express some form need, loss or restoration of relationships. The emotional numbing caused by residential schools and its negative impact on the ability for individuals to trust to form lasting bonds is only soothed by a return to community and support. Ultimately, resilience and continuity are attributes of the holistic, culture-based approach to preserving and rehabilitating heritage by Indigenous
McLaren’s choice to explore and share the stories of multiple elders in Muffins for Granny emulates the respect for individuality and diversity within the principles of Indigenous health, contributing to the ongoing healing process of these First Nations elders (Morgan, 2017). Towards the end of the film, Ralph Johnson describes the mindset that has pulled him through his turbulent times, referring back to his Indigenous beliefs by acknowledging the Creator and his aim to operate from an internal place of love (McLaren, 2006). Furthermore, Alice Littledear alludes to the strength of her soul and Roy Thomas shows appreciation for the many teachings his elders shared with him as a child (McLaren, 2006). The power of their Indigenous identities despite trauma strongly demonstrates a sense of cultural resilience, denoted as the role that tradition and culture play as a resource for resilience within an individual (Fleming & Ledogar, 2008). This influence, however, can transcends the individual to the community level of resilience (Fleming & Ledogar, 2008). All seven First Nations elders alike express some form need, loss or restoration of relationships. The emotional numbing caused by residential schools and its negative impact on the ability for individuals to trust to form lasting bonds is only soothed by a return to community and support. Ultimately, resilience and continuity are attributes of the holistic, culture-based approach to preserving and rehabilitating heritage by Indigenous