Canada's Indigenouis Residential Schools
The residential schools system in Canada was a network of boarding schools for Indigenous children, funded by the Canadian government and administered primarily by Christian churches from the 1880s to the 1990s. The primary objective was to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture by removing them from their families, languages, and traditions. Over 150,000 children were forcibly taken from their homes and placed in these schools, where they often faced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The children were forbidden from speaking their native languages and practicing their cultural traditions, leading to a profound loss of cultural identity. The schools were underfunded, and the living conditions were harsh, contributing to widespread neglect and maltreatment. Many children died due to disease, malnutrition, and abuse, with numerous unmarked graves discovered in recent years. The legacy of residential schools has had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, resulting in intergenerational trauma, loss of language, and cultural disintegration. This dark chapter in Canadian history has been a source of deep pain and sorrow for Indigenous people, prompting calls for justice, reconciliation, and healing.
Timeline of Major Events
​
-
1880s: Establishment of the first residential schools in Canada.
-
1920: Attendance at residential schools becomes mandatory for Indigenous children between 7 and 15 years old.
-
1969: Canadian government takes control of the residential school system from churches.
-
1996: Closure of the last federally run residential school, Gordon Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.
-
2007: Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) is finalized, marking the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history.
-
2008: Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers a formal apology on behalf of the Canadian government.
-
2015: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) releases its final report, detailing the abuses and calling for reconciliation measures.
-
2021: Discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School site.
-
2022: Further discoveries of unmarked graves at various former residential school sites across Canada.
​
Settlements, Agreements, and Apologies
​​
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (2007): The largest class-action settlement in Canadian history, it provided financial compensation to survivors and established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to document the experiences of survivors and promote reconciliation.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Apology (2008): A formal apology was issued to residential school survivors and their families, acknowledging the profound harm caused by the residential school system.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015): The TRC released its final report, which included 94 Calls to Action aimed at addressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Financial Compensation: Under the IRSSA, compensation was provided to survivors through the Common Experience Payment and the Independent Assessment Process for those who experienced severe abuse.
Healing Initiatives: Funding and support for initiatives aimed at healing and revitalizing Indigenous cultures, languages, and communities.
Commemoration and Memorials: Efforts to commemorate the victims and survivors of residential schools, including memorials and public education campaigns.
Ongoing Apologies and Commitments: Various provincial governments, religious organizations, and educational institutions have issued apologies and committed to reconciliation efforts in response to the TRC’s Calls to Action.
​
​​
​​