History of Indian Residential Schools
From the beginning of colonization, Europeans and churches established institutions to “educate” indigenous children. The vision of superiority and dominance promoted by European imperialism and religious movements left little room for humanitarian and equality-based considerations.
During the 19th century, the Canadian government institutionalized this residential school system with a single goal in mind: to divest itself of its legal and financial obligations to Indigenous peoples and regain control of their lands and resources. If every Indigenous person had been “integrated” into society, there would be no more reserves, no more treaties, and no more Indigenous rights.
Becoming aware and acknowledging is the beginning of a long journey toward healing and reconciliation.
