First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies · Grade 10 · Historical Contexts and Colonial Impacts · 2.º Período

The Residential School System

Investigate the history and intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system in Canada.

TL;DR:This topic covers the history and devastating legacy of the residential school system in Canada. Students investigate the system's goals of 'killing the Indian in the child' and the systemic abuse and cultural loss that occurred. The Ontario curriculum emphasizes the intergenerational trauma caused by these schools, as well as the resilience of survivors. This is a sensitive topic that requires a trauma-informed approach, focusing on the human rights violations and the long-term impacts on families and communities.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• C1.2 Describe the history and legacy of the residential school system
• C2.1 Analyze the intergenerational impacts of assimilation policies

About This Topic

This topic covers the history and devastating legacy of the residential school system in Canada. Students investigate the system's goals of 'killing the Indian in the child' and the systemic abuse and cultural loss that occurred. The Ontario curriculum emphasizes the intergenerational trauma caused by these schools, as well as the resilience of survivors. This is a sensitive topic that requires a trauma-informed approach, focusing on the human rights violations and the long-term impacts on families and communities.

By studying the residential school system, students understand the historical roots of many contemporary issues facing Indigenous peoples. It is a critical component of the reconciliation process. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches like gallery walks of survivor testimony, which allow students to process information at their own pace and engage with the material with empathy and depth.

Key Questions

1. What were the goals of the residential school system?
2. How did these schools impact Indigenous children and families?
3. What is intergenerational trauma?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Residential schools happened a long time ago and don't affect people today.

What to Teach Instead

The last school closed in 1996, and many survivors and their children are still dealing with the trauma. Using timelines and survivor stories helps students realize how recent and ongoing this history is.

Common Misconception

The schools were well-intentioned but poorly executed.

What to Teach Instead

The stated goal of the system was the total destruction of Indigenous cultures and identities. Analyzing the official government documents and the TRC findings helps students understand that the harm was a feature, not a bug, of the system.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk

Survivor Testimony

Students quietly rotate through stations featuring excerpts from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's reports or videos of survivor stories. They use a 'Reflect and Connect' worksheet to record their emotional responses and key learnings.

50 min·Individual

Inquiry Circle

The Timeline of the System

In small groups, students create a timeline that includes the opening of the first schools, the peak of the system, the closing of the last school in 1996, and the 2008 apology. They discuss how the length of the system contributed to intergenerational trauma.

40 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

Defining Intergenerational Trauma

Students read a short article on how trauma can be passed down through generations. They pair up to discuss how the loss of parenting skills and language in the schools might affect the children and grandchildren of survivors.

25 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the role of churches in the residential school system?

The Canadian government funded the schools, but various Christian denominations (Catholic, Anglican, United, Presbyterian) operated them. The churches were responsible for the daily administration and the religious instruction that was a central part of the assimilation process.

How many children attended residential schools?

It is estimated that over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend these schools. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has identified thousands of children who died while in the system, though the exact number may never be known.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching about residential schools?

A gallery walk of survivor testimonies is a powerful way to center Indigenous voices. It allows students to engage with the human reality of the schools in a self-paced, respectful way. Collaborative investigations into the TRC's 'Calls to Action' can also help shift the focus from historical trauma to active participation in reconciliation.

What is 'Orange Shirt Day'?

Orange Shirt Day (September 30th) was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, whose new orange shirt was taken away on her first day at a residential school. It serves as a day to honor survivors and remember the children who never came home, promoting the message that 'Every Child Matters.'