Active learning ideas
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.
Activity 01
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.
What were the goals of the residential school system?
Activity 02
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.
How did these schools impact Indigenous children and families?
Activity 03
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.
What is intergenerational trauma?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Residential schools happened a long time ago and don't affect people today.
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.
The schools were well-intentioned but poorly executed.
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.
Methods used in this brief
Early Contact and the Fur Trade
Explore the initial interactions between Indigenous peoples and Europeans, focusing on economic partnerships and the fur trade.
8 methodologies
Treaties and the Indian Act
Examine the intent and consequences of historical treaties and the oppressive nature of the Indian Act.
8 methodologies