Intergenerational Trauma & Legacy
Students examine how the trauma of residential schools has been passed down through generations, affecting Indigenous communities in areas such as health, education, and family life.
Key Questions
- Explain the concept of intergenerational trauma in the context of residential schools.
- Analyze how the effects of residential schools continue to manifest in contemporary Indigenous communities.
- Predict the long-term societal impacts if intergenerational trauma is not addressed.
Ontario Curriculum Expectations
About This Topic
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to document the history and lasting impact of the residential school system. This topic covers the TRC's six-year journey, during which it heard from over 6,500 witnesses. Students examine the TRC's final report, which concluded that the system amounted to 'cultural genocide,' and its 94 Calls to Action. These calls provide a roadmap for redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation in Canada.
Students evaluate the progress made on these calls in areas such as child welfare, education, health, and justice. This is a critical part of the Ontario curriculum, as it asks students to consider their own responsibilities as citizens. This topic comes alive through collaborative investigations into the current status of the Calls to Action. Students grasp the ongoing nature of reconciliation faster through structured debate and by analyzing which calls have been fulfilled and which remain unaddressed.
Active Learning Ideas
Inquiry Circle: The 94 Calls to Action
Divide the class into small groups, each assigned a category of the Calls to Action (e.g., Education, Justice, Health). Students use online trackers to determine the current status of their assigned calls and present their findings to the class.
Formal Debate: The Role of Education in Reconciliation
Students debate the effectiveness of Call to Action #62, which calls for mandatory curriculum on residential schools. They discuss whether education alone is enough to achieve reconciliation or if it must be paired with economic and legal changes.
Think-Pair-Share: What Does Reconciliation Mean to You?
After reading the TRC's definition of reconciliation, students reflect individually on what it looks like in their own lives or school. They share their ideas with a partner and then contribute to a class 'reconciliation wall' of actionable ideas.
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionReconciliation is just about saying 'sorry.'
What to Teach Instead
Reconciliation requires concrete actions to change laws, policies, and social attitudes. Using a 'Words vs. Actions' chart to analyze the Calls to Action helps students see that an apology is only the beginning of a much longer process of systemic change.
Common MisconceptionThe TRC was a court that could punish people.
What to Teach Instead
The TRC was not a criminal trial; its mandate was to uncover the truth and create a historical record. Peer discussion about the difference between 'truth-seeking' and 'prosecution' helps students understand why the TRC focused on survivor testimony rather than legal punishment.
Suggested Methodologies
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Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)?
What are the 94 Calls to Action?
How much progress has been made on the Calls to Action?
How can active learning help students understand the TRC and its impact?
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