Residential Schools

Residential Schools is a system of schools for Indigenous children in Canada.

In Anishinabek News

• August 2013: Over 80,000 survivors of Residential Schools were living in 2013, having endured an experiment described as cultural genocide. The Residential Schools system was used as a tool in Upper Canada to subdue the original inhabitants of the land. Children in Residential Schools faced abuse and the suppression of their traditional languages and beliefs.
• February 2015: Shibastik uses his music to teach about the inter-generational effects of these schools.
• April 2017: Senator Lynn Beyak stated that she believes good came from the schools. A committee in Thunder Bay invited Lynn Beyak to a meeting to help her understand the notorious legacy of the schools.
• December 2018: Scott McLeod noted that the Indigenous Culture Fund was intended to help communities repair the cultural losses resulting from the legacy of these schools.
• July 2020: The trauma and lingering detrimental effects of this system are addressed as educational themes in The Mighty Muskrats Mystery series. Michael Hutchinson uses his books to introduce young readers to the history of these institutions in a non-confrontational manner.
• March 2021: The history of Residential Schools inspired the protagonist in Jayden Restoule's story, who lost his identity while forced away from his home. Children in Residential Schools were prohibited from wearing traditional clothing or speaking their own languages.
• June 2021: The author asserts that the responsibility for these institutions lies with the governments of Canada rather than its citizens. First Nations children suffered human rights violations and abuses within the school system. The author highlights that Pierre Elliott Trudeau was the leader of Canada while these schools were active.
• March 2022: The Orange Shirt Society works to create awareness of the individual and community impacts caused by these institutions. The 2022 Orange Shirt Day design honors children who died while attending these schools. Youth across Canada are encouraged to participate in discussions about the history and legacy of these schools.
• January 2023: These institutions are identified as a source of negative behaviors that continue to affect Indigenous people. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux stated that these institutions are still affecting people and need to be addressed.
• June 2024: Sarah Lewis performs poetry to educate audiences about the truth and lasting ramifications of the school system. Lewis shares the story of her grandmother's experiences within the school system as a catalyst for her activism.
• September 2026: The legacy of these schools is recognized annually through Orange Shirt Day. The 2026 Canada Post stamp series aims to raise awareness about the trauma and abuse associated with this system.