Short Abstract

Apologies, restitution and a reckoning with history - these are themes that now play out in the cultural politics of Canada. Australia and, to a lesser extent, the USA.

Long Abstract

They imply that boarding schools for indigenous and tribal children are features of a cruel colonial history. But there is a new, shocking reality: a resurgence of these schools in many parts of the world, with the same motivations and the same consequences. This session, bringing together awareness of such schools in Botswana, Tibet and India, is a global alert: the crimes against children continue: our role as anthropologists and activists is to see, understand and challenge. And to be part of the process whereby indigenous education is shaped by indigenous educators.

Introduction and chair: Hugh Brody (Boarding school programme in Botswana & the genesis of this conference)

Gyal Lo - Boarding school programme in Tibet

Rajaraman Sunderasan - Boarding school programme in India

Lorna Williams - response to the main speakers, bringing in the Canadian residential school impacts