Residential Schools Flashcards
Describe the purpose of residential schools in Canada.
Residential schools were government-sponsored religious institutions aimed at assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture.
What was the significance of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2007?
It provided recognition and restitution for former residential school students.
Define the term ‘residential schools’ in the context of Canadian history.
Residential schools were custodial institutions established after 1880 to educate and convert Indigenous youth into Canadian society.
How did the establishment of residential schools impact Indigenous communities in Canada?
Residential schools disrupted lives and communities, leading to long-term problems among Indigenous peoples.
Describe the role of Christian churches and the Canadian government in the creation of residential schools.
They conceived residential schools as a way to educate, convert, and integrate Indigenous youth into Canadian society.
What was the main goal of including schooling provisions in the treaties of the 1870s for Plains Nations?
Plains Nations leaders hoped that Euro-Canadian schooling would help their youth learn skills for a successful transition into the dominant society.
Describe the half-day system at residential schools until the late 1950s.
Students spent half the day in the classroom and the other half at work, aiming to teach skills for adulthood but primarily to run the school inexpensively.
What was the typical daily routine for students at residential schools before the 1950s?
Early start with chapel, spartan meals, three hours of classes or work, limited recreation, early bedtime, and weekends with religious observances and some work.
Define the main issues with the educational and training aspects of residential schools before the 1950s.
Poor quality and quantity of food, inadequate clothing, deficient academic and vocational programs, teachers ill-prepared, and curricula reflecting an alien culture.
How did funding challenges impact the operation of residential schools from the 1890s to the 1950s?
The government tried to shift the burden to churches and students, who contributed financially through labor. Funding constraints led to limited resources and inadequate education.
Describe the changes in holiday practices at residential schools from the 1950s onwards.
Before the 1960s, holidays included work and play at the school, but later children were routinely sent home for holidays.
What were some common negative experiences for students at residential schools according to the content?
Low-quality food, inadequate clothing, deficient academic and vocational programs, harsh overseers, and limited training in the workplace, contrasted with excessive focus on religious observances.
Describe the impact of Indigenous protests on the residential school system in the 1940s.
Indigenous protests in the 1940s helped highlight the ineffectiveness of the residential school system, leading to a change in policy.
What led to the end of church involvement in the residential school system in 1969?
The system was taken over by the Department of Indian Affairs in 1969, ending church involvement.
Define the resistance faced by the government when phasing out residential schools.
The Catholic Church resisted the closure of residential schools, advocating for segregated education for Indigenous children.
