History Unit 2: Residentail Schools

Question 1

What is the relationship between Canadian authorities and Canadian aboriginals

Answer 1

• contentious
• attempt of Canadian authorities to assimilate First Nations into mainstream society
• effects were and continue to be devastating to indigenous people

Question 2

What are residential schools

Answer 2

• Canadian government established in mid late 1800
• run as a joint venture between federal government and various religions
• established in all provinces and territories across Canada except Newfoundland and New Brunswick, PEI. Approx 130 residential schools across the country
• most school closed late 1960/ early 70. Last ended in 1996; approx 150 000 native children attended

Question 3

What was the goal for residential schools

Answer 3

• long term goal: incorporate native populations into mainstream Canadian society and save them from a perceived ‘savage and unproductive state’ (white mans burden)
• intended to accomplish the goal of assimilation by ‘ civilizing the so called ‘savage Indians’

Question 4

Who is Duncan campbell scott

Answer 4

• deputy superintendent general of Indian affairs made it his mission to get rid of the ‘Indian problem’
• goal to kill the Indian in the child and turn them into respectable Canadian citizens

Question 5

Who went to residential schools

Answer 5

• aboriginal children from across the country were sent to these governments - funded schools to learn about European Canadian culture and society ( prevented from speaking there native language and forced to abandon their traditional lifestyle
• attendance between 7 and 15 was mandatory; removing children from their communities, see essential to assimilation
• schools deliberately far away so parents could not have easy access to children

Question 6

What happened to the survivors of residential schools

Answer 6

• some speak positive experiences, the vast majority describe their time in the school and abusive experience
• many survivors become self destructive as a result of mental, physical, spiritual and emotional abuse that was inflicted upon them

Question 7

What happened in 1990

Answer 7

Goverment made statement of reconciliation and established the aboriginal healing foundation
-> foundation; fund communities based on healing programs focusing on addressing the legacy of Indian residential schools. Initial budget 350 million, in 2005 gave an additional 40 mil (still needed support)

Question 8

What happened in 2006

Answer 8

• settlement package, Canadian government and the compliant settled 1.9 billion compensentation to benefit of thousands of survivors abuse at residential school

Question 9

How does the legacy of residential school affect children and grandchildren survivor

Answer 9

• school system stripped identity, language, culture of aboriginal people
• effects of aboriginal children and youth experience today referred as ‘intergenerational impacts” of the residential experience
• physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and substance abuse that exist in aboriginal community today is a direct result suffered in residential school
• cultural genocide