Residential Schools in Canada: History and Heritage Education Guide

Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce's The Story of a National Crime is published, exposing the government's neglect of the health of Indigenous peoples, which includes an alarmingly high death rate of residential school students. He notes a “criminal disregard for the treaty pledges.” 1922 Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs Duncan Campbell Scott makes attendance at residential schools mandatory for every First Nations child between seven and 16 years of age. Often, children younger than seven were institutionalized anyway. Personal family photo of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack (courtesy Pearl Achneepineskum). Thunderchild Indian Residential School. S-B6808, c. 1901 (Courtesy of Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan) Dr. P. H. Bryce’s 1922 report on the conditions in residential schools (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/James Hope and Sons Ltd). Dr. P. H. Bryce, c. 1920 (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/Topley Studio/PA-042966). Duncan Campbell Scott, c. 1915 (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/ Dupras & Colas/C-003187). Aerial view of Stringer Hall, Grollier Hall and the Federal Day School, c.1960 (courtesy of The General Synod Archives/ Anglican Church of Canada/ P7530-64). 1920 Inuit children are officially included in the residential school system. Six schools open in the Western Arctic as the government takes over the administration of many church-run residential schools. Two new residential schools, Grollier Hall and Stringer Hall, open in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, with a capacity of 500 students. Twelve-year-old Chanie Wenjack dies after escaping from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School. A formal investigation follows. During the inquest held in the Kenora Magistrate’s Court, the non-Indigenous jury finds that residential schools cause tremendous emotional and psychological problems. Thunderchild Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan is destroyed by fire. Four students are investigated for arson. Others reportedly cheer as they watch the school burn. This was one of dozens of fires set across Canada by students as a form of resistance. More than 80 institutions are in operation across Canada — the most at any one time — with an enrolment of more than 17,000 children. 1931 1950 s 1959 1966 1948 The Canadian government takes control over the administration of the remaining schools still run by churches, giving the Government of Canada complete authority over all residential schools still in operation. By 1979, thousands of students are still enrolled at the 28 residential schools that remain open. 1969 1960 s –1980 s The Sixties Scoop begins after amendments to the Indian Act give provinces jurisdiction over Indigenous child welfare. More than 20,000 First Nations , Métis, and Inuit children are “scooped” from their homes and adopted into mainly non- Indigenous families. The long-lasting effects of the Sixties Scoop range from a loss of cultural identity to feelings of shame and confusion. Some adoptees report experiencing physical and sexual abuse in their foster homes. Today, Indigenous children remain overrepresented in the child welfare system. 200019 0 6