Residential Schools

Residential schools operated from the 1880s into the late 20th century. They were a part of an extensive school system across Canada that was set up by the Canadian government and ran by religious churches, with the main objective of educating Indigenous children by assimilating them into Christian, Euro-Canadian ways of living.¹ The residential school system also forbade Indigenous children to acknowledge their Indigenous heritage and culture or to speak their own languages. On top of the dehumanizing goals of these schools, Indigenous families had no option to attend or not. Children as young as the age of 3 were kidnapped, or taken from their families to attend these schools, and some of these children were never seen again by their families. In addition to the trauma of being taken away, many Indigenous children endured physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse. Not only that, disease and poor sanitation resulted in the death of thousands of children. In 2021, numerous unmarked gravesites at the locations of these institutions were found. These gravesites uncovered the remains of hundreds to thousands of young children; the causes of death are unknown.¹

Indian Residential School students and staff, Regina, Saskatchewan, 1908.
Source: Library and Archives Canada, e010949763

A group of nuns with Indigenous students, Port Harrison, Quebec, circa 1890
Source: H. J. Woodside. Library and Archives Canada, PA-123707

The education provided was not like the education European students were receiving at the time. The lessons mainly focused on prayer and manual labour in agriculture, light industry such as woodworking, and domestic work such as laundry work and sewing. At some locations, the boys would tend to the care of livestock, while the girls would prepare meals for the students. On top of the lack of proper education and learning, the children were severely punished if any of the strict rules were broken.¹ 

Residential schools systematically undermined Indigenous, First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures across Canada. They also disrupted families, leaving scars and causing intergener-

ational trauma and PTSD. With the intense oppression received by these institutions, a significant loss of language, culture, spirituality and connectedness has been lost. Because children were removed from their families, many students grew up without experiencing a nurturing family life and did not obtain any skills to raise their own families. The devastating effects of the residential schools have left a deep impact that has significantly affected today’s generations and many Indigenous communities. The residential school system is widely considered as a form of genocide because of the purposeful attempt from the government and churches to eradicate all aspects of Indigenous cultures and in some narratives, the people themselves. 

From the 1990s onward, the government and churches involved (Anglican, Presbyterian, United, and Roman Catholic) began to acknowledge the residential school scheme designed to “kill the Indian in the child.” Unbelievably, the last residential school officially closed in 1997. In 2008 Prime Minister Stephen Harper of the Conservative government issued a formal apology in Parliament for the damage done by the residential school system. Even though various apologies were given, many Indigenous people did not feel it was sincere, as actions speak louder than words.¹ 

Read and watch more of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology here: Government apologize for residential schools in 2008

Lejac Residential School – Fraser Lake, BC. Dates of operation: 1922 to 1976 
Source: Lejac Residential School Facebook Group

Not only were the residential institutions traumatizing for the students, but they had also left emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual scars on their families. Intergenerational trauma continues to undermine the wellbeing of Indigenous people today. Studies have shown that familial history of Indian Residential School (IRS) attendance has been linked to greater and more frequent effects of contemporary stressors, affecting well-being.²

Ways to support Residential School Survivors and families

Make a Donation.

You can assist the education and understanding of Indigenous knowledge and history in Canada by donating to the Anishinaabek Land Trust. With your support, we can better reach Residential School Survivors and their families to assist them in healing and growth. Your generous donations will allow us to bring forward memories, stories, knowledge and perspectives to interpret the real narrative of this nations’ history. 

Learn more about the residential school system and its generational impacts.

Sources:

¹Hanson, E., Gamez, D., & Manuel, A. 2020. The Residential School System. Indigenous Foundations. https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/residential-school-system-2020/

²Bombay, A., Matheson, K., & Anisman, H. 2014. The intergenerational effects of Indian Residential Schools: implications for the concept of historical trauma. Transcultural psychiatry, 51(3), 320–338. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461513503380