Equity, Social Justice & Civic Action · Term 4

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Investigating the history of Residential Schools and the 94 Calls to Action.

About This Topic

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is a pivotal moment in Canadian history, marking a formal effort to acknowledge the harms of the Residential School system and find a path forward. In the Ontario curriculum, students investigate the history and legacy of these schools, which were designed to 'kill the Indian in the child' and led to generations of trauma and cultural loss.

Students analyze the 94 'Calls to Action' and investigate the progress (or lack thereof) that has been made in areas like health, education, and justice. They explore the concept of 'reconciliation' and what it requires from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. This topic is best explored through 'witnessing' activities and collaborative investigations into 'local' reconciliation projects, helping students move from 'learning the truth' to 'taking action.'

Learning Objectives

• Explain the historical context and purpose of Canada's Residential School system.
• Analyze the lasting impacts of Residential Schools on Indigenous peoples' health, culture, and socio-economic status.
• Evaluate the extent to which the TRC's 94 Calls to Action have been implemented by governments and institutions.
• Critique the concept of reconciliation and propose concrete actions for achieving it in a Canadian context.

Before You Start

Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Pre-Contact to Present

Why: Students need foundational knowledge of Indigenous cultures, governance, and historical interactions with European settlers before examining the specific harms of the Residential School system.

Canadian History: Confederation to the Present

Why: Understanding the broader context of Canadian nation-building and government policies is essential for analyzing the creation and implementation of the Residential School system.

Key Vocabulary

Residential Schools	A system of boarding schools for Indigenous children in Canada, established by the Canadian government and various churches, intended to assimilate them into mainstream society and forcibly remove them from their families and cultures.
Cultural Genocide	The deliberate destruction of the cultural heritage of a group of people, often through the suppression of language, traditions, and spiritual practices, as described in the TRC's findings regarding Residential Schools.
Calls to Action	The 94 recommendations issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015, outlining steps needed to address the legacy of Residential Schools and advance reconciliation.
Intergenerational Trauma	The transmission of historical trauma and its effects from one generation to the next, often manifesting in mental health challenges, substance abuse, and disrupted family structures among survivors and their descendants.
Reconciliation	The process of establishing mutually productive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, involving acknowledgment of past wrongs, respect for Indigenous rights and cultures, and commitment to systemic change.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Calls to Action Tracker

Groups are assigned a 'category' of the 94 Calls to Action (e.g., Education, Health, Justice). They must research what has been done since 2015 and present a 'Progress Report' to the class, identifying the biggest 'barriers' to success.

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Simulation Game: The Reconciliation Circle

Students act as members of a community (Indigenous elders, youth, government officials, teachers) and must brainstorm a 'local' reconciliation project (e.g., a new curriculum, a monument, or a land-sharing agreement). They must find a 'consensus' on the best way to move forward.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Truth Before Reconciliation

Pairs discuss why the word 'Truth' comes before 'Reconciliation.' They brainstorm why it's impossible to 'make things right' without first 'acknowledging what went wrong' and share their 'reflections' on the importance of history.

⏱ 30 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Indigenous health organizations, such as the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia, work to address the ongoing health disparities stemming from Residential School policies and advocate for culturally safe healthcare services.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba serves as a permanent archive and educational resource, preserving the testimonies of survivors and promoting understanding of the Residential School system's history and impact.

Many Canadian municipalities are engaging in local reconciliation initiatives, such as adopting Indigenous land acknowledgments, incorporating Indigenous perspectives into public art, and collaborating with local First Nations on community projects.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Residential schools were 'just schools' that happened a long time ago.

What to Teach Instead

The last school closed in 1996, and they were part of a deliberate policy of 'cultural genocide.' A 'Timeline' activity can help students see how 'recent' this history really is and how it still affects families today.

Common Misconception

Reconciliation is something the 'government' does, not me.

What to Teach Instead

Reconciliation is a 'personal' and 'community' responsibility. A 'Personal Pledge' activity can help students identify one thing they can do (like learning a few words of a local Indigenous language) to contribute to reconciliation.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'The TRC's mandate was 'Truth' before 'Reconciliation.' Why is this order significant? What does 'truth' mean in this context, and what are the challenges in establishing it?' Encourage students to reference historical facts and survivor testimonies.

Quick Check

Provide students with a graphic organizer listing 3-4 of the TRC's Calls to Action (e.g., Calls related to child welfare, education, or justice). Ask them to research and briefly summarize one specific action taken (or not taken) by a government or institution in response to that Call to Action.

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to write one sentence explaining how the legacy of Residential Schools has affected intergenerational health, and one sentence proposing a concrete step a non-Indigenous Canadian could take towards reconciliation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the TRC fit into the Ontario Equity curriculum?

It is a central part of the 'Social Justice and Personal Action' strand. It is the most important 'case study' for understanding systemic injustice and the challenges of creating a more equitable and just Canada.

How can active learning help students understand reconciliation?

By having students 'work' on a specific Call to Action, researching it, finding out who is responsible, and writing a letter or creating a campaign, they move from being 'passive observers' to 'active participants' in the reconciliation process. It makes the 'calls' a matter of personal commitment.

What was the 'Sixties Scoop'?

It was a period (from the 1950s to the 1980s) when thousands of Indigenous children were 'scooped' from their families and placed in non-Indigenous foster homes or adopted out, often without the consent of their parents. It's another part of the legacy of cultural loss.

What is 'Intergenerational Trauma'?

It's the idea that the trauma experienced by one generation (like in residential schools) can be passed down to their children and grandchildren through disrupted parenting, poverty, and health challenges. Understanding this is key to reconciliation.