Deadly Legacy of Residential Schools


Recent systematic research into the lives of children in residential schools has revealed some very grim findings. It is estimated that around 4000-6000 children died at residential schools, or 3-4% of the approximately 150,000 First Nations children who attended residential schools. These deaths represent a staggering toll of human life resulting from the policy of trying to "civilize" Aboriginal children.

First Nations children attending residential schools died under many circumstances including abuse, suicide, and even freezing deaths, but the largest cause of death was disease. Children were crammed into dormitories that became breeding factories for disease. Tuberculosis was the largest killer disease faced by residential school children, but flu epidemics also took a devastating toll as well.

Death was such a part of the system of residential schools that architectural plans for many of the schools include cemeteries that were to be put into place before the buildings were started.  To date, archeology has revealed 50 burial sites, and about 500 victims are still nameless. In 1920 the chief medical officer at Indian Affairs brought up the alarming death rate for children in the schools, but he was fired for saying so and the government quit recording the deaths of children.  

"Indian Affairs officials often tried to portray these rates (of death) simply the price that Aboriginal people had to pay as part of the process of becoming civilized. In reality, these rates were the price they paid for being colonized."
"There was no effort to record the number of students who died. It will be critical for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to obtain all records related to the death of residential school students."
"The legacy of the schools remains. The health of generations of Aboriginal children was undermined by inadequate diets, poor sanitation, overcrowded conditions and a failure to address the tuberculosis crisis."
Findings from the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Perspective of Churches


"We must face realistically the fact that the only hope for the Canadian Indian is eventual assimilation into the white race."
J.E. Andrews, principal of the Presbyterian school in Kenora, 1953

"... we were greeted by this man dressed in black with a long gown. That was the priest, and the nuns with their black, black outfits with the white collar and a white, white collar and, like a breast plate of white. And their freaky looking hats that were, I don't, I couldn't, know what they remind me of. ...... first time I ever seen nuns and priests. And they were speaking to me, and I couldn't understand them.""
Gilles Petiquay, attended Pointe Bleue school, Quebec, testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Excerpt from "In Our Mother's Arms" by Lind Slough.

Christian churches in Canada believed that education should be available to all children. Access to education for children of low-income families was an important strategy in the struggle to secure greater justice. As the traditional economies of First Nations peoples came under heavy pressure, with the killing of the buffalo and the creation of reserves, many in the church felt the best way to assist First Nations was to provide means to educate the young in new economic systems and trade, hence industrial schools. Residential schools were seen by the churches not only as a vehicle for converting Native people to the Christian faith, but also as a way of equipping the younger generation of Native people to survive in a world where the old ways had either been destroyed or were considered unworkable or unworthy or both.

Glenbow/nc-7-1030


"A sister, a nun started talking to me in English and French, and yelling at me. I did not speak English, and didn't understand what she, was asking. She got very upset, and started hitting me all over my body, hands, legs and back. I began to cry, yell, and became very scared, and this infuriated her more. She got a black strap and hit me some more."
Marcel Guiboche, attended Pine Creek school, testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Click here to learn more about the history and legacy of residential schools.


Video  Elder in the Making Episode 5: A Broken Treaty  Residential Schools
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Think About
How has our contemporary society responded to the effects of imperialism on Indigenous people?

To make up for the loss of culture that assimilation has caused is impossible. However, when a dominant culture comes into contact with another culture, some degree of cultural change always occurs. The operation of residential schools was official government policy, and the Canadian government has stated that this policy was wrong. The government has apologized and has offered compensation and reconciliation to residential school survivors.

On November 23, 2005, an agreement in principle was struck between the Assembly of First Nations, federal negotiator the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, survivors, lawyers, and churches involved in residential schools cases. The agreement set in place a comprehensive approach that included

  • a lump-sum payment for all survivors to compensate for loss of language and culture resulting from the schools

  • a more efficient and effective process to deal with serious claims of abuse

  • a national truth-telling commission to bring greater understanding and awareness of this issue

  • expedited compensation payments for the elderly

Based on the agreement-in-principle, the final agreement was struck.


"Today is an historic day for residential school survivors, for First Nations, and for all Canadians. We will, at long last, see justice in our lifetime for the tragic experience of the residential schools. The approach announced today is not only about compensation but also about healing and reconciliation between First Nations and Canada."
Chief Phil Fontaine, Assembly of First Nations, May 2006