Residential Schools

Learning Goal To understand how the residential school system impacted Indigenous people in Canada. To understand how their experience in the residential schools affected their identity.

Early Residential Schools Government sponsored schools, created to assimilate Indigenous people into Canadian society 1856- Indian Act - gave the Federal government the authority to the Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs to control Indian Education. The first residential school was set up in the 1890’s by the missionaries. They wanted to Christianize and educate the natives, and get them to read the bible. The government helped support the residential school system as far back as 1874.

Residential Schools were located all across Canada. In total there were 130 schools located across Canada.

Government Control Every province had Residential Schools except: PEI, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. April 1, 1941 - ¨The Government Of Canada took over the residential schools. ¨Most schools closed by the mid 1970’s. ¨The last school closed in 1996.

Attendance was Manditory

¨The Indian Act - mandatory for status Indians to attend residential school. Children would be removed from their families to attend school. ¨They would have to stay there for 10 months every year.  Many times they would stay there all year round because of the distance between the home and the school.

Reflections Questions:  How would the removal of children affect a community?

The Children were unable to: Speak their own language. Practice cultural activities. AND Speak to other family members If they did any of these things they would be punished. Reflect:  Why would they do this?  What is the purpose? What was the Candian Government trying to do? ** Think about your answer to these questions.  In a few minutes you will be discussing them with a partner and then with the class.

They had to do daily chores They all got their hair cut short Upon Arrival Students were given two pieces of clothing – One for work and one for school They had to do daily chores They all got their hair cut short The children were given new names Reflection:  How would this affect one's identity?

Some Children Never Returned Home Some of the children ran away and never returned. Others were caught and returned to school When there was a virus going around a lot of children caught it because of the poor living conditions. Or at times children caught the virus because the Government did experiments by putting sick kids in the same beds as healthy ones.

¨There are about 93,000,00 survivors left in Canada End Result ¨There are about 93,000,00 survivors left in Canada Reports and accounts of physical, sexual and mental abuse. Schools did not show them love and how to be a good parent affecting their future parenting. Survivors turned to drugs and alcohol due to their anger, depression and loss of culture and language.

A Road to Truth and Reconciliation 1990 – Phil Fontaine, Grand Chief of Manitoba Chiefs, first leader to tell the story of his abuse at a residential School Calls for recognition of the abuse, compensation and an apology for racism 1996 – Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommends public inquiry

A Road to Truth and Reconciliation 1997 – Phil Fontaine negotiates out of court settlement with federal government 1998 – Statement of Reconciliation -Settlement of $350 Million Healing Fundn2001 – Dept. of Indian Residential Schools 2008 – Apology from Stephen Harper 2018 – The Pope denied Prime Minister Trudeau's request for an official apology from the church.

Stolen Children

Reflection Question: Is an official apology enough?

ACTIVITY Research further on the following two topics and be prepared to talk about them tomorrow in our Talking Circle. 1.  How Residential Schools impacted the Indigenous community.  This could be a specific community or the Indigenous community as a whole. 2.  What is Canada doing to help the Indigenous community heal?  Could they be doing more?