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The Initial Plans
The Government of Canada made plans to provide schooling for indigenous children, so that they could function better in Canadian society. This on the surface was so that indigenous people could better integrate with modern European society, but had the ulterior motive of making the European population in Canada less dependent on Aboriginal groups. Originally plans for these schools were made in conjunction with various Indigenous leaders, and the Roman Catholic Church. (Miller, 1) -
The First Residential Schools
Three industrial schools are established in the Prairies, operated by the church. (Miller, 1) -
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More and More Schools Established
Residential schools quickly spread across the country, and reached their height in 1930, totaling 80 institutions. These schools were operated by churches, with the Roman Catholic church operating three fifths, the Angelica church operating one quarter, and the United and Presbyterian church operating the rest. (Miller, 6) -
Residential Schools Systems Taken Over by The Department of Indian Affairs
The residential schools system is taken over by the Department of Indian Affairs, in 1969. The Government of Canada decided to begin phasing out residential schools, however were opposed by the Catholic church who argued that segregating indigenous children from their culture was the best way to integrate them into Canadian society. (Miller, 5) -
The Vast Majority of Residential Schools are Shut Down
The majority of residential schools are closed, with the final one (St. Michael's) closing it's doors in 1996. (Miller, 5) -
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) was the largest class action lawsuit in Canadian history, and recognized the long-lasting damage caused the residential school system. The IRSSA created a multi-billion dollar fund, which was utilised to aid former students in their recovery. (Marshall, 1) The largest part of the IRSSA was the Common Experience Payment, which set aside $1.9 billion to compensate former students. (Marshall, 3) -
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is Established
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is established, meant to uncover the truth of our country's treatment of indigenous populations. (Moran, 1) This commission put together a series of public events, dedicated to raise public awareness on what happened at residential schools. They later released a final report, going into extensive detail on what happened, supported by accounts from many indigenous peoples. -
Prime Minister apologizes for Aboriginal Residential School Policy
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issues an apology to the First Nations communities regarding residential schools, and the abuse that went on within them. (Government of Canada, 1) -
Trudeau issues Newfoundland and Labrador residential schools apology
Prime Minister Trudeau issues an apology to residential school survivors in Newfoundland and Labrador. They were excluded from Harper's original statement due to the government of Canada arguing that since Newfoundland and Labrador was not yet a province at the time of residential schools, they were not responsible.
