Residential Schools in Canada: A Timeline

Historica Canada

2 Mar 202005:39

Summary

TLDRThis script details the dark history of Canada's residential school system, which aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Western culture by separating them from their families and culture. It chronicles the system's establishment, the government's neglect leading to high death rates, acts of resistance, and eventual public inquiry. The lasting impact is highlighted, with over 80,000 survivors and their families still grappling with the effects, leading to calls for reconciliation and acknowledgment of 'cultural genocide'.

Takeaways

🏫 The Mohawk Institute, run by the Anglican Church, was the first government-funded residential school in Canada, marking the beginning of a system aimed at assimilating Indigenous children into Western culture.
📜 The Indian Act gave the Canadian government control over Indigenous rights and culture, excluding Métis and Inuit from Status Indian status.
👨‍🏫 Prime Minister John A. Macdonald authorized the creation of the residential school system, which aimed to isolate Indigenous children from their families and cultures.
🔥 Students resisted the system by setting fires in schools, reflecting the widespread discontent and desire for freedom.
🌐 The residential school system expanded to include Inuit children, with six schools opening in the Western Arctic.
👶 Over 20,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous foster care or adoption homes, leading to a loss of cultural identity.
🚑 Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce exposed the government's neglect of Indigenous children's health, including high death rates in residential schools.
🏢 The Canadian government eventually took over all residential schools from churches, indicating a shift in the administration of the system.
🙍‍♂️ Phil Fontaine's public account of abuse at a residential school led to a call for a public inquiry, which began in 1991.
📉 The last federally run residential school closed in 1996, marking the end of the system but not the end of its effects.
🙏 Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized for Canada's role in the operation of residential schools, acknowledging the harm caused.
📚 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission characterized Canada's treatment of Indigenous people as 'cultural genocide', highlighting the severity of the impact.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the mission schools for Indigenous children run by religious orders?
-The mission schools were the precursors to the government of Canada's residential school system, aimed at assimilating Indigenous children into Western culture by separating them from their families and cultures.
Which religious organization ran the Mohawk Institute, and what was its significance?
-The Mohawk Institute was run by the Anglican Church and became a boarding school. It is significant as it was the first government-funded residential school in Canada.
What was the Indian Act, and how did it affect Indigenous people?
-The Indian Act was legislation that gave the Canadian government control over Indigenous rights and culture, including education. It excluded Métis and Inuit from being recognized as Status Indians.
Who authorized the creation of the residential school system, and what was its main goal?
-Prime Minister John A. Macdonald authorized the creation of the residential school system, which aimed to isolate Indigenous children from their families and cut all ties to their cultures.
What was the impact of Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce's findings on the government's handling of Indigenous children's health?
-Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce exposed the government's neglect of Indigenous children's health, including high death rates in residential schools, which brought attention to the poor conditions and treatment of the children.
How did students resist the residential school system?
-Students resisted the residential school system by setting fires in dozens of schools across Canada, as a form of protest against their forced assimilation and the conditions they were subjected to.
What was the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in addressing the legacy of residential schools?
-The TRC was established to provide a permanent archive of materials and testimonies on residential schools. It characterized Canada's treatment of Indigenous people as 'cultural genocide' and released a summary of its findings with 94 calls to action aimed at redressing the legacy and assisting in Canadian reconciliation.
What compensation did the Canadian government provide to survivors of the residential school system?
-The government provided compensation to survivors, including the Common Experience Payment, and focused on funding and supporting Indigenous health and healing services.
What was the significance of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology to former students of residential schools?
-Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology was a formal acknowledgment of Canada's role in the operation of residential schools and an attempt to begin the process of reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
How did the residential school system impact the lives of Indigenous children who were forced to attend?
-The residential school system led to the loss of connection with Indigenous language, culture, and identity for many children, as well as causing emotional and psychological problems, as evidenced by the findings of a formal investigation into the death of Chanie Wenjack.
What is the lasting legacy of the residential school system on survivors and their families?
-The legacy of the residential school system includes the deaths of thousands of children and the ongoing struggle of over 80,000 survivors and their families who still live with the trauma and loss of culture.

Outlines

00:00

🏫 History of Canada's Residential School System

For over two centuries, religious orders operated mission schools for Indigenous children, which evolved into the government-funded residential school system. The Mohawk Institute, run by the Anglican Church, became the first such school. A government report advocated for the separation of Indigenous children from their parents to assimilate them into Western culture, influencing laws and policies aimed at stripping Indigenous people of their culture and rights. The Indian Act gave the government control over Indigenous rights and culture, excluding Métis and Inuit. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald authorized the residential school system to isolate Indigenous children from their families and cultures. The number of schools grew to over forty, and attendance was mandated for First Nations children aged 7 to 16. Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce exposed the government's neglect of Indigenous children's health, including high death rates. There were over 80 institutions, and students set fires as resistance. Inuit children were officially included, and six schools opened in the Western Arctic. Over 20,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in non-Indigenous foster care or adoption, losing their language, culture, and identity. Chanie Wenjack's death after escaping a residential school led to an investigation revealing emotional and psychological problems caused by the schools. The Canadian government took over the remaining schools and provided compensation to survivors. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized for the residential schools' operation. The TRC characterized the treatment as 'cultural genocide,' with thousands of children dying and over 80,000 survivors and their families living with its legacy.

05:06

🗣️ Indigenous Voices on Remembering Residential Schools

The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering the history of residential schools, rejecting the idea that Indigenous people should 'just get over it and move on.' They argue that until others learn from this history, Indigenous people will continue to remember and ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Residential School System

The residential school system in Canada was a network of boarding schools for Indigenous children, primarily run by religious organizations under government direction. It aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture by isolating them from their families and communities. The script mentions the creation of this system authorized by Prime Minister John A. Macdonald, with the number of schools quickly climbing to over forty.

💡Assimilation

Assimilation refers to the process of absorbing minority cultures into a dominant culture, often by imposing the dominant culture's language, customs, and values. In the context of the video, assimilation was a policy pursued by the Canadian government to strip Indigenous people of their culture and rights, as seen in the government report recommending Indigenous children be separated from their parents.

💡Mohawk Institute

The Mohawk Institute was the first government-funded residential school in Canada, run by the Anglican Church. It exemplifies the beginning of the residential school system and the broader policy of assimilation. The script identifies it as a precursor to the larger system that would follow.

💡Indian Act

The Indian Act is a set of laws in Canada that gave the government control over Indigenous rights and culture, including education. It is mentioned in the script as a tool that excluded Métis and Inuit, focusing only on First Nations as Status Indians, thereby influencing the trajectory of Indigenous rights and education.

💡Métis

Métis are one of the three major groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada, with a distinct culture and history. The script highlights that the Indian Act excluded Métis from recognition as Status Indians, which affected their rights and representation within the residential school system.

💡Inuit

The Inuit are Indigenous peoples living in the Arctic regions of Canada. The script notes their official inclusion in the residential school system, which expanded the reach of the government's assimilation policies to this group.

💡Cultural Genocide

Cultural genocide refers to the systematic destruction of a people's culture with the intent to annihilate their cultural identity. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) used this term to describe Canada's treatment of Indigenous people, as highlighted in the script, emphasizing the severity of the impact on Indigenous cultures.

💡Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

The TRC was established as part of an agreement between the government, churches, and Indigenous communities to acknowledge the harms of the residential school system. The script mentions the TRC's work to gather testimonies and materials, culminating in 94 calls to action aimed at reconciliation.

💡Foster Care and Adoption

The script describes how more than 20,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in foster care or adoption homes, often non-Indigenous. This policy furthered the goal of assimilation by severing ties to Indigenous culture and identity.

💡Chanie Wenjack

Chanie Wenjack's death after escaping from a residential school is mentioned in the script as a tragic example of the human cost of the system. His story led to a formal investigation and is emblematic of the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by many students.

💡Common Experience Payment

The Common Experience Payment is a form of compensation provided by the Canadian government to survivors of the residential school system. The script notes this as part of the government's response to the legacy of the schools, aiming to provide some form of justice and support for those affected.

Highlights

Religious orders run mission schools for Indigenous children, setting the stage for Canada's residential school system.

The Mohawk Institute becomes the first government-funded residential school in Canada, run by the Anglican Church.

A government report recommends separating Indigenous children from their parents to assimilate them into Western culture.

Federal laws and policies are designed to strip Indigenous people of their culture and rights.

Île-à-la-Crosse opens in northern Saskatchewan, with a majority of Métis students.

The Indian Act gives the Canadian government control over Indigenous rights and culture, excluding Métis and Inuit.

Prime Minister John A. Macdonald authorizes the residential school system to isolate Indigenous children from their families.

Residential schools across Canada rapidly expand, with over 40 schools in operation.

Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce exposes the government's neglect of Indigenous children's health, revealing high death rates in residential schools.

More than 80 residential schools operate across Canada at their peak.

Inuit children are officially included in the residential school system as six schools open in the Western Arctic.

More than 20,000 Indigenous children are forcibly taken from their families by social workers and placed with non-Indigenous families.

Phil Fontaine publicly speaks of the abuse he suffered at Fort Alexander Indian Residential School, calling for a public inquiry.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is established to investigate the effects of residential schools and support reconciliation.

The TRC's final report includes 94 calls to action, identifying Canada's treatment of Indigenous people as 'cultural genocide.'