Active learning ideas
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.
Activity 01
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.
What were the objectives and realities of the residential school system?
Activity 02
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.
How did the Sixties Scoop further disrupt Indigenous families?
Activity 03
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.
What is the significance of the TRC's Calls to Action?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Residential schools were just 'bad schools' with some mean teachers.
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.
The Sixties Scoop ended in the 1960s.
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.
Methods used in this brief
Pre-Contact Societies and Early Treaties
Study the complex societies, trade networks, and governance systems of Indigenous peoples prior to European contact. Analyze the intent and impact of early peace and friendship treaties.
8 methodologies
The Indian Act and Assimilation Policies
Critically examine the Indian Act and its historical and ongoing impacts on First Nations peoples. Understand the legislative tools used by the Canadian state to enforce assimilation.
8 methodologies
Resistance and Resilience
Highlight the historical and ongoing resistance of Indigenous peoples against colonial policies. Celebrate the resilience and strength of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in preserving their cultures.
8 methodologies