Why were Residential Schools Made?
Why were Residential Schools made? Residential Schools were built in 1857 and ended in 1996. They were made because the Federal Government had an obligation to educate aboriginal children. Over 150,00 Metis, Inuit and First Nations Children attended Residential Schools within that time period. Life was rough for many children during that time. For example, students were forced to speak English or French. If they spoke their Native Language they would be painfully punished. These children were taken away from their families and placed in schools far away from their communities. Many children did not have enough food or clothing to survive. The schools were crowded and dirty. These Schools were so awful that kids died from diseases and some tried to run away. Indian Residential Schools tried to make Aboriginal Children talk, dress, think and act like non-Aboriginal Canadians. At the time, the government and churches believed that this was the right thing to do. Today, we know it was not. The last Indian Residential school was closed in 1996. On June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister of Canada apologized to all Aboriginal children who were sent to these Schools for the many bad things that happened to many of them. Several of the churches that were apart of this system have also said they are sorry. Many former students have shared stories of their time at these Residential Schools to help all Canadians understand what happened and to help themselves heal and forgive. In conclusion, residential schools was terrible to many kids in the 18 and 1900's. A commission was formed in 2008 in order to understand what happened in Residential Schools. It's job is to hear public hearings so people can tell their stories, collect rewards and establish a national research centre. The commission has spent the last several years studying a scandal considered by many to be Canada's greatest historical shame.
Why were Residential Schools made? Residential Schools were built in 1857 and ended in 1996. They were made because the Federal Government had an obligation to educate aboriginal children. Over 150,00 Metis, Inuit and First Nations Children attended Residential Schools within that time period. Life was rough for many children during that time. For example, students were forced to speak English or French. If they spoke their Native Language they would be painfully punished. These children were taken away from their families and placed in schools far away from their communities. Many children did not have enough food or clothing to survive. The schools were crowded and dirty. These Schools were so awful that kids died from diseases and some tried to run away. Indian Residential Schools tried to make Aboriginal Children talk, dress, think and act like non-Aboriginal Canadians. At the time, the government and churches believed that this was the right thing to do. Today, we know it was not. The last Indian Residential school was closed in 1996. On June 11, 2008, the Prime Minister of Canada apologized to all Aboriginal children who were sent to these Schools for the many bad things that happened to many of them. Several of the churches that were apart of this system have also said they are sorry. Many former students have shared stories of their time at these Residential Schools to help all Canadians understand what happened and to help themselves heal and forgive. In conclusion, residential schools was terrible to many kids in the 18 and 1900's. A commission was formed in 2008 in order to understand what happened in Residential Schools. It's job is to hear public hearings so people can tell their stories, collect rewards and establish a national research centre. The commission has spent the last several years studying a scandal considered by many to be Canada's greatest historical shame.