Topic spans: 1955 - 2002
A Lost Heritage: Canada's Residential Schools
In 1928, a government official predicted Canada would end its "Indian problem" within two generations. Church-run, government-funded residential schools for native children were supposed to prepare them for life in white society. But the aims of assimilation meant devastation for those who were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Decades later, aboriginal people began to share their stories and demand acknowledgement of — and compensation for — their stolen childhoods.
Photo of residents of Regina "Indian school" (c. 1921) from Library and Archives Canada, PA-020921
14 television clips
8 radio clips
'A new future'
Broadcast Date: March 13, 1955
Orphans, convalescents and those who live too deep in the bush for day school: these are the students of the residential school in remote Moose Factory, Ont. For 10 months a year, these native children — some taken from their homes — start each day with a religious service before heading to classes. A CBC Television crew visits the school to salute Education Week — and here, the education is all about how to integrate into mainstream Canadian society.'A new future'
• Residential schools had been preceded by church-run mission schools in the early 19th century. The goal of the mission schools was to teach native people to read English so they could learn the Bible and convert to Christianity.• The federal government began working with the churches — Catholic, Anglican, United and Presbyterian — to set up the residential school system around 1874. Under the Indian Act, the government had a responsibility to educate native children.
• Government and churches established residential schools with the assumption that aboriginal culture was unable to adapt to a rapidly modernizing Canadian society. Without intervention, they felt native people would be left behind. Children were much easier to mould than adults, but it had to be done outside the family and the "influence of the wigwam." Residential schools, where students lived far from home for most of the year, were the answer.
• Until the 1950s, parents couldn't choose whether to send their children to a residential school. All aboriginal people, both children and adults, were considered wards of the state. The churches recruited students and the Department of Indian Affairs employed "Indian agents" — white men whose job descriptions included ensuring all native children went to school.
• Many parents wanted their children to go to school, agreeing with the government's belief that it was best for the future of native people.
• Until 1951, the residential school curriculum consisted of a half-day of classroom study and a half-day of learning a trade. Boys were taught blacksmithing, carpentry and auto mechanics while girls learned sewing, cooking and other domestic skills. This system also made the schools cheaper to manage, as much of the labour needed to run them — milking cows, cleaning dormitories, chopping wood — was provided by the students.
• In general, residential schools were for children aged five to 16.
• In 1931, at the peak of the residential school system, there were about 80 schools operating in Canada. They were in every territory and province except Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. There were a total of about 130 schools from the earliest in the late 19th century to the last, which closed in 1996.
• The Department of Indian Affairs funded all residential schools.
• Canada is not the only country with a history of residential schools for aboriginal children. From 1910 to 1970, the Australian government placed aboriginal children in foster homes and institutions. Those children are now known as the "stolen generation." Each May 26 since 1998, Australians have observed National Sorry Day — a day acknowledging the impact of forcible family removal on aboriginal people.
'A new future'
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: March 13, 1955
Guest(s):
Duration: 2:38
Last updated:
Sept. 29, 2009
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22 clips in this topic . page
I read about a Rev Ken Annett a few weeks ago and his work with survivours and family from the residential school period in our history. Perhaps those interested would like to see first hand his efforts to bring canada's Aboriginal Genocide to more Candian people and judge for them selves.http://www.hiddenfromhistory.org/
Submitted by: Mr. Blair M. Phillips
this video doesn't really show what happened in residential schools, it doesn't show the abuse, and the killings.
Submitted by: zamanthe beaury true nish 08'
What about the other ethnic groups who were abused in residential schools? Where is our apology?
Submitted by: J. Jane
I think that he residential schools sucked and it wasnt cool at all
Submitted by: buck
ahhh residential schools blow hard
Submitted by: Big Jim
I am just floored, that what, at first sounds like a good idea to help, to educate, so that they could read and write, communicate and be employable in our encrotching society,all the while we where taking away their way of life by depleteing fish and wildlife,land and their society . Was done so badly, was done with pedjudice from the start. What could and should have been a feather in our cap is now our shame. Our history with our native people just never changes. Why didn't they just give them blankets infected with small pox again? Shame on us. Our country never had an indian problem....maybe we are the problem.
Submitted by: L. Munce-Lepizzera
I had family give 1st hand accounts of how the school staff put on great shows for visitors to the school. They said it was the only days they ate good and treated with some kindness. Other than that, they were hungry all the time, witnessed beatings, boys and girls were raped, murdered and all were ridiculed for being Indigenous. I believe it should be under your War & Conflict category, specifically TERRORISM. My aunts said many children tried to tell what was happening to them and no one listened. My parents came forward trying to protect their children from the abusers but had no legal avenue to pursue justice. Remember, it was illegal for Indigeous people to obtain legal council against Canada. Can you imagine the emotional and psychological torment lovely, caring parents endured knowing what was happening to their babies. Could you survive having your child taken from your arms, both of you crying, begging not to go just because of your race? Many couldn't withstand and committed suicide or turned to alcohol to numb the pain of the lose. Then we are called drunken "Indians". And the abuse was brought home by the abused to subject their children to the life the new parents were taught in Residential Schools. Money in a pocket doesn't erase the memory. The memory is carried from generation to generation and exists today in many of our homes. Reconciliation cannot happen until colonization stops...and it hasn't yet.
Submitted by: A Loving Indigenous Mother