Manic Reparation
A Psychoanalytic Discussion of Apology and Residential Schooling in Canada
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/bsor.v39i1.003Keywords:
Residential Schooling in Canada, Public Apologies, Kleinian Theory, First NationsAbstract
The Canadian public has heard many apologies from various governments and church institutions over the last 20 years. In June 2008 Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized to First Nations for the federal government’s role in the residential school system. First Nations have also received apologies from the United Church of Canada (UCC) for its participation in these schools. Much of the work being done on the process of apology assesses the apology in order to judge if it is convincing and worthwhile. My work asks the question: are apologies effective in their attempt to make amends for past injustices, or are they examples of what Klein calls “manic reparation”?
References
Alford, C. Fred 2006. “Kleinian Theory is Natural Law Theory.” In Jon Mills (ed.), Other Banalities: Melanie Klein Revisited, 217-45. London: Routledge.
All Native Circle Conference 1988 “Response to 1986 Apology.” Available at http://www.united-church.ca/aboriginal/relationships/response
Cunningham, Michael 1999 “Saying Sorry: The Politics of Apology.” The Political Quarterly 70/3, 285-93.
Klein, Melanie 1975 Envy and Gratitude and Other Works, 1946-1963. New York: The Free Press.
Lazure, Aaron 2004 On Apology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Likierman, Meria 2001 Melanie Klein: Her Work in Context. New York: Continuum.
Miller, J.R. 1996 Shinwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Roper, Lyndal 2005 Oedipus and the Devil: Witchcraft, Religion and Sexuality in Early Modern Europe. New York: Routledge.
Rushtin, Michael 2006 “Klein on Human Nature.” In Jon Mills (ed.), Other Banalities: Melanie Klein Revisited, 25-44. New York: Routledge.
Segal, Hanna 1973 Introduction to the Work of Melanie Klein. London: The Hogarth Press.
Thwaites, Tony 2007 Reading Freud: Psychoanalysis as Cultural Theory. London: Sage Publications.
Titley, Brian 1986 A Narrow Vision: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Administration of Indian Affairs in Canada. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Tuvachis, Nicholas 1991 Mea Culpa: A Sociology of Apology and Reconciliation. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
United Church of Canada 1986 “Apology to First Nations People.” Available at http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/policies/1986/a651
All Native Circle Conference 1988 “Response to 1986 Apology.” Available at http://www.united-church.ca/aboriginal/relationships/response
Cunningham, Michael 1999 “Saying Sorry: The Politics of Apology.” The Political Quarterly 70/3, 285-93.
Klein, Melanie 1975 Envy and Gratitude and Other Works, 1946-1963. New York: The Free Press.
Lazure, Aaron 2004 On Apology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Likierman, Meria 2001 Melanie Klein: Her Work in Context. New York: Continuum.
Miller, J.R. 1996 Shinwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Roper, Lyndal 2005 Oedipus and the Devil: Witchcraft, Religion and Sexuality in Early Modern Europe. New York: Routledge.
Rushtin, Michael 2006 “Klein on Human Nature.” In Jon Mills (ed.), Other Banalities: Melanie Klein Revisited, 25-44. New York: Routledge.
Segal, Hanna 1973 Introduction to the Work of Melanie Klein. London: The Hogarth Press.
Thwaites, Tony 2007 Reading Freud: Psychoanalysis as Cultural Theory. London: Sage Publications.
Titley, Brian 1986 A Narrow Vision: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Administration of Indian Affairs in Canada. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Tuvachis, Nicholas 1991 Mea Culpa: A Sociology of Apology and Reconciliation. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
United Church of Canada 1986 “Apology to First Nations People.” Available at http://www.united-church.ca/beliefs/policies/1986/a651
Published
2010-04-28
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Greenberg, B. (2010). Manic Reparation: A Psychoanalytic Discussion of Apology and Residential Schooling in Canada. Bulletin for the Study of Religion, 39(1), 7-12. https://doi.org/10.1558/bsor.v39i1.003
