EVERY CHILD MATTERS

Summary

The Canadian residential school system forcibly assimilated indigenous children, causing lasting trauma. From the 19th century, over 150,000 children were taken from their families, subjected to abuse, and denied their culture and language. The last school closed in 1996, with 880,000 survivors still living with the effects. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission aims to heal these wounds, and remembering the victims on National residential school survivor day is crucial.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The residential school system in Canada was a dark chapter in the country's history, aimed at assimilating indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society.
• 📚 The primary goals of the residential schools were to teach English or French and convert indigenous children to Christianity.
• 👥 From the mid-1800s to the late 20th century, thousands of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children were taken from their families and forced into these schools.
• 🛏️ Students lived in substandard conditions, received inadequate food, clothing, and education, and were often subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse.
• 🚫 The schools enforced strict rules, forbidding the use of native languages and cultural practices, and often separated siblings by gender.
• 🔢 Over 150,000 children were forced into residential schools, with about 3,000 known to have died within the system.
• 🙏 In 2005, religious institutions began to apologize for their role in the system, and a compensation package was designed for survivors.
• 📢 On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologized for the federally financed schools and the tragedies that occurred within them.
• 🌟 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was relaunched in 2009 to provide truth and healing to those affected by the residential school system.
• 👕 National residential school survivor day is observed on September 30th, where wearing an orange shirt is a symbol of support for the survivors.
• 📚 Educating oneself about residential schools and supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are ways to help address the legacy of these institutions.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of the Canadian government in establishing residential schools?

The primary goals were to teach indigenous children English or French and to convert them to Christianity.

When did the Canadian government start operating federally run schools for indigenous children?

The earliest federally run schools began operating in the mid-1800s.

What were the conditions like for children in residential schools?

Children lived in substandard conditions, received low-quality food, had poor housing, and wore inadequate clothing for winter. They were also subjected to a deficient education taught by unqualified teachers.

How were the indigenous children treated in terms of language and cultural practices at the residential schools?

Children were denied the right to speak their native languages, had French and English forced upon them, and were not allowed to participate in their culture's customs or faith.

What was the impact of the residential school system on the indigenous children's identity?

The children were not called by their own names, which were replaced by numbers, further eroding their cultural identity.

What kind of abuse did the children experience in residential schools?

Children faced physical, mental, and sexual abuse due to the strict rules and severe punishments for not abiding by them.

How many residential schools were there in total, and when did the last one close?

There were 130 institutions in total, and the last one, the Gordon residential school in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996.

How many children were affected by the residential school system, and how many are known to have died?

Over 150,000 children were removed from their homes and forced into the schools, and about 3,000 are known to have died within the system.

What steps have been taken to address the legacy of the residential school system?

Religious institutions have publicly confessed and apologized, a compensation package was designed, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was relaunched to provide truth and healing.

What was the significance of the apology given by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008?

It was the first formal apology from a Canadian Prime Minister to past students for the federally financed schools and the tragedies that occurred within them.

How can individuals participate in supporting the survivors of residential schools?

Individuals can educate themselves, support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, take an interest in First Nations Metis and Inuit Affairs, and participate in National residential school survivor day by wearing an orange shirt.