Perennial Pioneers: The Sisters of St. Ann

3/10/2015

Our founders, the Sisters of St. Ann, were recently celebrated in the National Catholic Reporter for their pioneering spirit and the incredible legacy they've left in British Columbia.

The article starts with the early missions work undertaken by the Sisters of St. Ann. The history is intimately tied to the wider modern history of our province. It also explores the process of "closing it all down in a way that honors the legacy of the pioneers, bringing their work to fulfillment." It an inspiring look at the women who set our school's path to empowering young women in the Catholic community. The full article is called Perennial pioneers: The Sisters of St. Ann,

This article was published prior to the school's understanding of the Sisters of St. Ann role in the residential school system.

Their history, like our Canadian colonial history, is complicated. The Sisters worked closely with Indigenous communities across BC and the Yukon and maintain relationships with First Peoples to this day. The Sisters of St. Ann also taught at several residential schools, including four residential schools identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. The Canadian residential school system has been acknowledged by the Church as “unquestionably wrong” and both the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Sisters of St. Ann have issued apologies for their role.

In addressing residential schools, we are challenged to put the voices of those who suffered foremost in our teaching. The Indigenous experience in residential schools is chronicled by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and excellent education resources are available through the First Nations Education Steering Committee. One book to consider reading is Amongst God’s Own, The Enduring Legacy of St. Mary’s Mission, which is written by former students of St. Mary’s Residential School, where the Sisters of St. Ann taught. Copies are available in our school library as well as the public library.

Back

Perennial Pioneers: The Sisters of St. Ann

School Information

Social

Search