Canadian Indian residential school system

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“	Underlying these arguments was the belief that the colonizers were bringing civilization to savage people who could never civilize themselves, a belief of racial and cultural superiority.	„
	~ Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

The Canadian Indian residential school system was a network of boarding schools in Canada. The schools were made to forcibly assimilate indigenous children into western culture. The system has been described as an act of cultural genocide, as the system was designed to purposefully eradicate indigenous cultures, though some consider it physical genocide as well (as part of the larger ongoing Amerindian Genocide), as the residential schools lead to the deaths of at least 30,000 children. It is estimated that a total of 150,000 children were forced to attend the school system.

History edit

In 1828, the first boarding school, known as the Mohawk Institute, was established in Brantford, Ontario for six indigenous students. In 1876, prime minister Alexander MacKenzie passed the Indian Act, a policy that was established to force First Nations people onto reserves. The Indian Act also left indigenous women disadvantaged as they lost their indigenous status upon marrying white men and indigenous men from other tribes. The Canadian government under prime minister John A. Macdonald later implemented a system of residential schools as part of an assimilation policy for indigenous peoples, which was influenced by U.S. Army general Richard Henry Pratt's ideologies to "kill the Indian and save the man". Pratt served as the superintendent of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in the United States.

The schools were intentionally located far off reserves in order to limit contact between the children and their parents. The schools were administered by Christian churches, with most of them being funded by the federal government.

The children were deprived of their cultures and were forced to speak English or French, while facing corporal punishment for speaking their native languages as well as being molested and sometimes killed by priests, often times having their newborn children being killed after being impregnated by their teachers. The children also faced malnutrition and died of diseases such as tuberculosis often as a result of unethical experiments projected onto them, while others committed suicide and died while trying to run away. Some survivors report teachers impaling needles and hot knives in their tongues, bleaching them in baths to lighten their skin, forcing them to wash dishes in boiling water, and starving them in isolation while feeding them salt water to keep them bloated. For the most part, school authorities got away with their crimes, although there were some rare instances where school administrators were arrested for their abuse towards children, such as the cases with William Starr and Arthur Plint.

In 1907, Indian Affairs chief medical officer Peter Bryce visited 35 of the schools and found that many students have died and noticed that the schools were poorly constructed with minimal care from the staff. Bryce tried to address the problems of the residential schools to the government in an attempt to reform the system. Although Duncan Campbell Scott did agree to fight against the diseases, he refused to change the assimilationist policies. In the 1940s, the federal government proposed to abolish the residential schools, but despite their obligations, they instead made extremely petty reforms of the system. In 1969, church administration over the schools was terminated and the schools were handed over to the Department of Indian Affairs.

Starting in the late 1950s, an adoption policy known as the Sixties Scoop was enacted as a means of transporting indigenous children to white families, with Saskatchewan being the only province to implement a program solely for Métis children. This act continued up until the early 1980s.

There were some instances of indigenous people protesting against the residential school system, with at least 25 schools being set on fire by the students. Though most of the protests were ignored, some protests were brought to light when the federal government began to notice the ineffective failures of the system. Over the years, more schools began to close, while others were transferred to the tribes. In 1997, the last residential school was closed in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

In 2008, prime minister Stephen Harper apologized for the residential school system and established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the nature of the schools under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. In 2015, the TRC concluded that the assimilation policy towards indigenous children amounted to cultural genocide.

As of 2021, thousands of unmarked graves are being uncovered near residential schools. So far, over 2,000 graves have been found near former residential schools in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories, with more investigations taking place in Ontario and Quebec.

On July 25th, 2022, Pope Francis visited Maskwacis, Alberta and apologized to the survivors about the residential school system.

List of residential schools edit

Ontario edit

Albany Mission Indian Residential School (1912 - 1963): Fort Albany, Ontario
Alexandra Industrial School for Girls (1897 - 1910): Toronto, Ontario
Alnwick Industrial School (1838 - 1966): Alderville, Ontario
Armstrong Indian Residential School (1880 - 1891): Armstrong, Ontario
Bishop Horden Memorial School (1907 - 1963): Moose Factory, Ontario
Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School (1900 - 1966): Kenora, Ontario
Kenora Indian Residential School (1949 - 1963): Kenora, Ontario
McIntosh Indian Residential School (1924 - 1969): Kenora, Ontario
Mohawk Institute Residential School (1828 - 1970): Brantford, Ontario
Mount Elgin Indian Residential School (1948 - 1948): Strathroy-Caradoc, Ontario
Shingwauk Indian Residential School (1873 - 1971): Garden River and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sioux Lookout Indian Residential School (1911 - 1973): Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Spanish Indian Residential Schools (1883 - 1965): Spanish, Ontario
St. Anne’s Indian Residential School (1936 - 1964): Fort Albany, Ontario
St. John's Indian Residential School (1907 - 1950): Chapleau, Ontario
St. Joseph's Orphanage and Boarding School (1870 - 1968): Fort William, Ontario
St. Margaret's Indian Residential School (1902 - 1974): Fort Frances, Ontario
St. Mary's Indian Residential School (1894 - 1962): Kenora, Ontario
Wawanosh School for Girls (1877 - 1900): Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Wikwemikong Indian Residential School (1840 - 1963): Assiginack, Ontario

Quebec edit

Amos Indian Residential School (1948 - 1965): St. Marc-de-Figuery, Quebec
Federal Hostel at George River (1960): Kangirsualujjuaq, Quebec
Federal Hostel at Great Whale River (1960 - 1970): Kuujjuarapik, Quebec
Federal Hostel at Payne Bay (1960): Kangirsuk, Quebec
Federal Hostel at Port Harrison (1960 - 1971): Inukjuak, Quebec
Fort George Hostels (1975 - 1978): Fort George, Quebec
La Tuque Indian Residential School (1963 - 1978): La Tuque, Quebec
Pointe Bleue Indian Residential School (1956 - 1965): Mashteuiatsh, Quebec
Sept-Iles Indian Residential School (1952 - 1967): Sept-Îles, Quebec
St. Joseph's Mission (1936 - 1952): Fort George, Quebec
St. Philip's Indian Residential School (1933 - 1979): Fort George, Quebec

Nova Scotia edit

Shubenacadie Indian Residential School (1922 - 1968): Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia

New Brunswick edit

None

Manitoba edit

Assiniboia Indian Residential School (1958 - 1973): Winnipeg, Manitoba
Birtle Indian Residential School (1888 - 1970: Birtle, Manitoba
Brandon Indian Residential School (1895 - 1972): Brandon, Manitoba
Cross Lake Indian Residential School (1915 - 1969): Cross Lake, Manitoba
Elkhorn Industrial School (1888 - 1919): Elkhorn, Manitoba
Fort Alexander Indian Residential School (1905 - 1970): Pine Falls, Manitoba
Guy Hill Indian Residential School (1952 - 1979): The Pas and Clearwater Lake, Manitoba
Lake St. Martin Indian Residential School (1874 - 1963): Fisher River, Manitoba
MacKay Indian Residential School (1915 - 1989): The Pas and Dauphin, Manitoba
Norway House Methodist Indian Residential School (1900 - 1967): Norway House, Manitoba
Pine Creek Indian Residential School (1890 - 1969): Camperville, Manitoba
Portage la Prairie Methodist Indian Residential School (1891 - 1975): Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Portage la Prairie Presbyterian Indian Residential (1895 - 1950): Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
Sandy Bay Indian Residential School (1905 - 1970): Sandy Bay Reserve, Manitoba
St. Boniface Industrial School (1891 - 1909): Winnipeg, Manitoba
St. Paul's Industrial School (1886 - 1906): Selkirk, Manitoba
Washakada Indian Residential School (1925 - 1949): Elkhorn, Manitoba
Waterhen Indian Residential School (1890 - 1900): Waterhen, Manitoba

British Columbia edit

Alberni Indian Residential School (1920 - 1973): Port Alberni, British Columbia
Ahousaht Indian Residential School (1901 - 1950): Ahousaht, British Columbia
Anahim Lake Dormitory Residential School (1968 - 1977): Anahim Lake, British Columbia
Christie (Clayoquot/Kakawis) Residential School (1900 - 1983): Meares Island and Tofino, British Columbia
Coqualeetza Residential School (1889 - 1940): Chilliwack, British Columbia
Kamloops Residential School (1890 - 1978): Kamloops, British Columbia
Kitimaat Indian Residential School (1908 - 1941): Kitimaat, British Columbia
Kootenay Indian Residential School (1876 - 1984): Cranbrook, British Columbia
Kuper Island Indian Residential School (1890 - 1975): Penelakut Island, British Columbia
Lejac Residential School (1917 - 1976): Fraser Lake, British Columbia
Lower Post Indian Residential School (1951 - 1975): Lower Post, British Columbia
Metlakatla Indian Residential School (1891 - 1962): Metlakatla, British Columbia
Port Simpson Residential School (1892 - 1948): Lax-Kw'alaams, British Columbia
Presbyterian Coqualeetza Indian Residential School (1861 - 1940): Chilliwack, British Columbia
Roman Catholic Coqualeetza Indian Residential School (1890 - 1941): Chilliwack, British Columbia
Sechelt Indian Residential School (1912 - 1975): Sechelt, British Columbia
St. George's Indian Residential School (1901 - 1979): Lytton, British Columbia
St. Joseph's Mission (1890 - 1981): Lamming Mills, British Columbia
St. Mary's Mission Indian Residential School (1861 - 1984): Mission, British Columbia
St. Michael's Indian Residential School (1925 - 1975): Alert Bay, British Columbia
St. Paul’s Indian Residential School (1898 - 1959): North Vancouver, British Columbia
Yale Indian Residential School (1900 - 1920): Yale, British Columbia
Yuquot Indian Residential School (1901 - 1913): Yuquot, British Columbia

Prince Edward Island edit

None

Saskatchewan edit

All Saints Indian Residential School (1865 - 1951): Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Battleford Industrial School (1883 - 1914): Battleford, Saskatchewan
Beauval Indian Residential School (1895 - 1983): Beauval, Saskatchewan
Crowstand Indian Residential School (1888 - 1916): Kamsack, Saskatchewan
Emmanuel College (1879 - 1923): Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
File Hills Indian Residential School (1889 - 1949): Okanese Reserve, Saskatchewan
Gordon's Indian Residential School (1889 - 1996): Punnichy, Saskatchewan
Guy Hill Indian Residential School (1926 - 1952): Sturgeon Landing, Saskatchewan
Île-à-la-Crosse Indian Residential School (1878 - 1976): Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan
Lake La Ronge Mission Indian Residential School (1914 - 1947): La Ronge, Saskatchewan
Marieval Indian Residential School (1899 - 1981): Marieval, Saskatchewan
Muscowequan Indian Residential School (1932 - 1981): Lestock, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert Indian Residential School (1951 - 1964): Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School (1884 - 1969): Lebret, Saskatchewan
Regina Indian Residential School (1890 - 1910): Regina, Saskatchewan
Round Lake Indian Residential School (1886 - 1950): Whitewood, Saskatchewan
St. Albans Indian Residential School (Unknown - 1951): Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
St. Anthony's Indian Residential School (1891 - 1968): Onion Lake, Saskatchewan
St. Barnabas Indian Residential School (1893 - 1951): Onion Lake, Saskatchewan
St. Michael's Indian Residential School (1894 - 1982): Duck Lake, Saskatchewan
St. Phillip's Indian Residential School (1899 - 1965): Kamsack, Saskatchewan
Thunderchild Indian Residential School (1933 - 1948): Delmas, Saskatchewan

Alberta edit

Assumption Indian Residential School (1951 - 1970): Assumption, Alberta
Blue Quill's Indian Residential School (1862 - 1970): Lac la Biche, Saddle Lake and St. Paul, Alberta
Crowfoot Indian Residential School (1900 - 1968): Blackfoot Crossing and Cluny, Alberta
Desmarais Residential School (1901 - 1973): Desmarais-Wabasca, Alberta
Edmonton Residential School (1924 - 1968): St. Albert, Alberta
Ermineskin Indian Residential School (1915 - 1973): Hobbema, Alberta
Fort Vermilion Residential School (1903 - 1968): Fort Vermilion, Alberta
Grouard Residential School (1894 - 1957): Grouard, Alberta
Holy Angels Indian Residential School (1902 - 1974): Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
Joussard Residential School (1913 - 1969): Joussard, Alberta
Lesser Slave Lake Residential School (1895 - 1932): Slave Lake, Alberta
Morley Residential School (1926 - 1949): Morley, Alberta
Old Sun Residential School (1894 - 1971): Gleichen, Alberta
Red Deer Industrial School (1893 - 1919): Red Deer, Alberta
Sacred Heart Residential School (1892 - 1961): Brocket, Alberta
Sarcee Residential School (1892 - 1921): Sarcee Trail, Alberta
St. Albert Residential School (1873 - 1948): St. Albert, Alberta
St. Cyprian's Residential School (1900 - 1962): Brocket, Alberta
St. Joseph's Industrial School (1884 - 1922): High River, Alberta
St. Mary's Indian Residential School (1898 - 1988): Stand-Off, Alberta
St. Paul's Residential School (1893 - 1975): Cardston, Alberta
Sturgeon Lake Residential School (1907 - 1961): Calais, Alberta
Wabasca Residential School (1902 - 1966): Wabasca, Alberta
Whitefish Lake Residential School (1895 - 1950): Whitefish Lake, Alberta

Newfoundland and Labrador edit

Lockwood School (1949 - 1964): Cartwright, Labrador
Makkovik Boarding School (1949 - 1960): Makkovik, Labrador
Nain Boarding School (1949 - 1973): Nain, Labrador
St. Anthony's Orphanage (1949 - 1979): St. Anthony, Newfoundland
Yale School (Unknown - 1980): North West River, Labrador

Northwest Territories edit

Akaitcho Hall (1958 - 1994): Yellowknife, North Slave Region
Aklavik Anglican Indian Residential School (1927 - 1959): Shingle Point, Inuvik Region
Aklavik Catholic Indian Residential School (1925 - 1996): Aklavik, Inuvik Region
Fort McPherson Indian Residential School (1898 - 1970): Fort McPherson, Inuvik Region
Fort Providence Indian Residential School (1967 - 1953): Fort Providence, South Slave Region
Fort Resolution Indian Residential School (1867 - Unknown): Fort Resolution, South Slave Region
Fort Simpson Indian Residential School (1920 - 1970): Fort Simpson, Dehcho Region
Fort Smith Indian Residential (1957 - 1970): Fort Smith, South Slave Region
Hay River Indian Residential School (1898 - 1949): Hay River, South Slave Region

Yukon edit

Aklavik Anglican Indian Residential School (1927 - 1934): Shingle Point, Yukon
Baptist Indian Residential School (1900 - 1968): Whitehorse, Yukon
Carcross Indian Residential School (1891 - 1910): Forty Mile, Yukon
Chooutla Indian Residential School (1910 - 1969): Carcross, Yukon
St. Paul's Indian Residential School (1920 - 1943): Dawson City, Yukon
Yukon Hall (1956 - 1965): Whitehorse, Yukon

Nunavut edit

Chesterfield Inlet Indian Residential School (1929 - 1970): Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut
Frobisher Bay Indian Residential School (1965 - Unknown): Frobisher Bay, Nunavut
Kivalliq Hall (1985 - 1997): Rankin Inlet, Nunavut

Videos edit

Trivia edit

It is widely believed that the Gordon residential school in Saskatchewan was the last of the residential schools to close in 1996. However, in 2019, the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) found that the Kivalliq Hall in Nunavut was officially the last federally-funded school to close in 1997.
Although Stephen Harper apologized for the residential school system, he refused to apologize for the residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador, as the province did not become a part of Canada until 1949 and none of the schools were federally funded.
One reason why no residential schools operated in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island is likely due to the fact the Mi'kmaq were one of the only indigenous groups that resided in the area, thus they only needed one school in Nova Scotia to assimilate the Mi'kmaq into western culture.
The Kuper Island residential school in British Columbia has been described as "Canada's Alcatraz", due to the difficulty of escape from its remote island location.
The Shubenacadie residential school in Nova Scotia is the only school where no gravesites had been found so far.