First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies · Grade 11 · Historical Contexts and Colonial Impacts · 2.º Período

Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop

Investigate the history and devastating intergenerational impacts of the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. Explore the findings and Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

TL;DR:This topic covers two of the most traumatic chapters in Canadian history: the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. Students will investigate the state-sponsored attempt to 'kill the Indian in the child' by removing children from their families and cultures. The curriculum also addresses the Sixties Scoop, where thousands of Indigenous children were placed in non-Indigenous foster homes, often without parental consent.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• C3.1 Analyze the impact of the residential school system
• D2.1 Evaluate the effects of the Sixties Scoop on Indigenous communities

About This Topic

This topic covers two of the most traumatic chapters in Canadian history: the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. Students will investigate the state-sponsored attempt to 'kill the Indian in the child' by removing children from their families and cultures. The curriculum also addresses the Sixties Scoop, where thousands of Indigenous children were placed in non-Indigenous foster homes, often without parental consent.

This is a deeply sensitive topic that requires a trauma-informed approach. It is essential for understanding the intergenerational trauma present in many communities today and the necessity of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action. This topic is best handled through structured, reflective activities like gallery walks of TRC findings or collaborative investigations into specific Calls to Action.

Key Questions

1. What were the objectives and realities of the residential school system?
2. How did the Sixties Scoop further disrupt Indigenous families?
3. What is the significance of the TRC's Calls to Action?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Residential schools were just 'bad schools' with some mean teachers.

What to Teach Instead

The system was a deliberate, government-funded policy of cultural genocide designed to sever the link between children and their heritage. Using the TRC's definition of 'cultural genocide' helps students understand the systemic nature of the schools.

Common Misconception

The Sixties Scoop ended in the 1960s.

What to Teach Instead

While the name refers to a specific era, the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system continues today, often called the 'Millennium Scoop.' Comparing historical and current statistics helps students see the continuity of these issues.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk

The TRC Calls to Action

Post various 'Calls to Action' around the room. Students circulate in silence, choosing one that they feel is most urgent and writing a brief explanation on a sticky note about why it matters for reconciliation today.

40 min·Individual

Inquiry Circle

Intergenerational Impact

In small groups, students examine a specific area of impact (e.g., language loss, parenting, health). They use provided resources to trace how the residential school experience affected not just the survivors, but their children and grandchildren.

50 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share

The Meaning of Reconciliation

After watching a short testimony from a survivor, students reflect on what 'reconciliation' means beyond just an apology. They discuss their ideas with a partner and then contribute to a class-wide 'reconciliation wall' of actions.

30 min·Pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary goal of residential schools?

The primary goal was the forced assimilation of Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. By removing children from their homes, the government aimed to prevent the transmission of Indigenous languages, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices, effectively ending Indigenous identities over a few generations.

What is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)?

The TRC was established as part of the Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Its mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in the schools by documenting the testimonies of survivors, families, and communities, and to guide a process of reconciliation.

How can active learning help students understand such a sensitive topic?

Active learning strategies like reflective gallery walks or collaborative investigations provide students with the 'processing time' needed for such heavy material. Instead of just receiving facts, students are encouraged to engage with the human stories and the systemic implications at their own pace, fostering empathy and a deeper sense of social responsibility.

How many children attended residential schools?

It is estimated that over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were placed in these schools between the 1870s and 1996. The TRC has identified thousands of children who died while attending these schools, though the exact number may never be fully known.