Residential Schools and their Lasting Impacts on Indigenous Communities
Introduction
- Residential schools were Canadian governmental institutions, operated by churches.
- First school: Mohawk Institute (1831), Last school: Gordon Indian Residential School (1996).
- Approximately 130 schools; over 150,000 Indigenous children enrolled.
Purpose of Residential Schools
- Aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian and Christian cultures.
- Children were forcibly removed from families.
- Goal: Erase Indigenous culture and identity.
Methods of Assimilation
- Slogans: "Kill the Indian, Save The Man."
- Forbidden to speak native languages or practice cultures.
- Given new names, hair cut short, uniforms imposed.
- Quote by Duncan Campbell Scott: Objective to eliminate "Indian question."
- Strategy: "Aggressive civilization" using religious instruction and skills training.
Treatment at Residential Schools
- Harsh and abusive conditions.
- Families separated to prevent cultural practice.
- Quote by Prime Minister Macdonald: "He is simply a savage who can read and write."
- Education focused on practical skills; unpaid child labor.
- Girls: cooking, cleaning; Boys: carpentry, farming.
- Physical and sexual abuse prevalent; institutionalized pedophilia.
- Punishments for speaking native languages included physical harm.
- Over 4% of students died; poor nutrition and sanitation.
Lasting Impacts of Residential Schools
- Intergenerational trauma; perpetuating cycle of abuse within families.
- Lack of education led to lower socioeconomic status.
- High rates of suicide and self-inflicted injury among Indigenous youth.
- Increased risk of sexual assault among descendants of survivors.
Remembrance and Healing
- Acknowledgement of the lives lost and the ongoing trauma.
- Emphasis on Indigenous resilience and healing.
Personal Reflection
- Author's family history with residential schools; personal impact on cultural understanding.
- Commitment to cultural preservation.
Conclusion
- Residential schools have had a profound negative impact on Indigenous communities.
- Continuous efforts for healing and cultural revival.
Sources
- Various academic articles and reports on the history and impact of residential schools.
Note: The lecture includes a trigger warning for violence, genocide, and sexual violence.