Stolen Children | Residential School survivors speak out

Summary

The video script recounts the traumatic experiences of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools, where they faced physical and emotional abuse, cultural erasure, and separation from families. Survivors share stories of violence, language suppression, and the lasting intergenerational impact on their communities, including increased rates of suicide among their descendants. The script highlights the need for recognition, healing, and dialogue to address this dark chapter in history.

Takeaways

• 😢 The script reveals the traumatic experiences of children in residential schools, including physical abuse and emotional trauma.
• 👦 Physical punishment, often referred to as 'bench party,' was a common and feared practice, disproportionately affecting boys.
• 🛁 There was a lack of privacy and inappropriate supervision during personal hygiene practices, causing further distress.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The forced separation from families and the prohibition of native languages and cultural practices led to a loss of identity.
• 🏡 The idea of 'civilizing' indigenous children was used to justify the harsh conditions and treatment in these schools.
• 👶 High mortality rates among children in residential schools were acknowledged but not considered a reason to change policy.
• 👥 The isolation from siblings and the inability to communicate with them added to the emotional strain.
• 📚 The education system was designed to wean children from their ancestral habits and assimilate them into 'civilized' society.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 The emotional and psychological impact of residential schools extended to the children of survivors, affecting family dynamics.
• 🏢 The lasting effects of residential schools include intergenerational trauma, cultural disconnect, and mental health issues.
• 🌐 There is a call for recognition, understanding, and support for the survivors and their descendants to heal and move forward.

Q & A

What was the term used to describe the physical punishment of children at the residential school?

The term used to describe the physical punishment was 'bench party'.

Who primarily received the most beatings at the residential school?

Boys received the most beatings at the residential school.

What was the purpose of the residential schools according to a federal cabinet minister in 1883?

The purpose of the residential schools was to educate the children properly by separating them from their families in order to civilize them.

How did the residential school experience affect Alice Little Dear?

Alice Little Dear was frightened by the physical punishment she witnessed, including the death of a little girl beside her, and the forced separation from her family.

What was the duration of Raymond Mason's attendance at the residential school?

Raymond Mason attended the residential school for 12 years.

What was the policy regarding the death of Indian children in residential schools?

The policy was that the death of Indian children at a much higher rate than in their villages did not justify a change in the department's approach to the 'Indian problem'.

What was the impact of residential schools on the children's language and culture?

Residential schools aimed to wean children from their native language and culture, punishing them for speaking their own native tongue and attempting to assimilate them into 'civilized' life.

Why did some children try to run away from the residential schools?

Children tried to run away from the residential schools due to the harsh treatment, physical punishment, and the desire to be with their families.

How did the residential school experience affect the mental health of the survivors and their families?

The residential school experience led to mental stress, fear, and abuse within families, with some survivors passing on the trauma to their children.

What was the long-term goal of the residential school system according to Duncan Campbell Scott?

The long-term goal was to assimilate the Indian people into Canadian society to the point where there would be no 'Indian question' or 'Indian department'.

What is the connection between residential school experiences and the suicide rates among their descendants?

The children of residential school survivors commit suicide at rates significantly higher than the general population, due to the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school experience.