The Canadian residential school system was a government-sponsored and church-administered network of boarding schools that operated for over 160 years, with the explicit goal of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. This system, described by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) as an act of “cultural genocide,” caused profound harm to Indigenous peoples, eroding their languages, cultures, and communities.
The roots of the residential school system date back to the early 19th century. Initially, Christian churches established schools to convert Indigenous children to Christianity. By the 1880s, the Canadian government formalized its involvement, funding these institutions as part of a broader colonial policy aimed at assimilating Indigenous peoples. The Indian Act of 1876 laid the groundwork for this system, and in 1920, attendance at residential schools became compulsory for treaty-status children between the ages of seven and fifteen. The primary objective was to “kill the Indian in the child” by removing children from their families and isolating them from their cultural practices and languages. Children were often placed in schools far from their communities to minimize family contact.
Life in residential schools was marked by neglect, abuse, and forced assimilation. Children were forbidden from speaking their native languages or practicing their traditions. Violations often resulted in severe punishments. Many students endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of staff. The schools were underfunded, overcrowded, and poorly maintained. Malnutrition, inadequate medical care, and unsanitary conditions led to high rates of disease such as tuberculosis and influenza. In some schools, death rates reached alarming levels; estimates suggest that between 3,200 and over 30,000 children died while attending these institutions. Additionally, some students were subjected to unethical nutritional experiments conducted by government scientists.
The residential school system inflicted lasting damage on Indigenous communities. Survivors often struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, and difficulties reintegrating into their communities. Families were torn apart, and Indigenous languages and cultural practices were severely diminished. The intergenerational trauma caused by these schools continues to affect Indigenous peoples today. Communities face ongoing challenges related to mental health, identity loss, and systemic inequality.
The last federally funded residential school closed in 1996. In subsequent years, survivors demanded recognition of their experiences. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2007 provided compensation to survivors and established the TRC to document the system’s history and impacts. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology on behalf of Canada for the harm caused by residential schools. Despite these efforts toward reconciliation, much work remains to address the enduring legacy of this system.
The Canadian residential school system represents one of the darkest chapters in Canada’s history. It was a deliberate attempt to erase Indigenous cultures through forced assimilation. Recognizing this history is essential for fostering reconciliation and supporting Indigenous communities in their ongoing recovery from its devastating effects.