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The Residential Schools and Their impact.



Welcome to Our Project on Residential Schools.


This website helps explain the history and impact of residential schools on Indigenous people in Canada. Residential schools were set up to force Indigenous children to abandon their culture and language. Thousands of children were taken from their families and forced to live in these schools, where many suffered abuse and neglect.

The effects of residential schools still hurt Indigenous communities today. In this project, we will learn about the schools, why they existed, and the lasting harm they caused. 


 Get Killed



 Cause of Death

​ Sixties Scoop​​

Estimates: It is estimated that over 6,000 Indigenous children died in residential schools across Canada. The exact number remains difficult to confirm due to underreporting and lack of records.

Causes of Death: Many deaths were caused by neglect, disease (such as tuberculosis), malnutrition, abuse, and poor living conditions sexual abuse.

The Sixties Scoop happened in Canada from the 1960s to the 1980s. During this time, many Indigenous children were taken from their families and put into non-Indigenous foster homes or adopted by non-Indigenous families. This happened without the permission of their families. The government believed that Indigenous families could not care for their children properly. Many children were sent far away, even to other countries, and lost their culture, language, and connection to their community. The Sixties Scoop caused a lot of pain and damage, and in 2017, the Canadian government apologized and gave money to those affected.

Ali Sohail GhulamResidential School.Paragraph for impacts of Residential schools.

Ali Sohail Ghulam

MR.Kumar

Social 9

Feb 29, 2025

                                                                  Q​​uestions to Answer

1.What were residential schools?

Residential schools were government-funded and church-run institutions in Canada that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture. Children were taken from their families and placed in these schools, where they were forced to abandon their language, traditions, and identity. Many suffered from neglect, abuse, and harsh living conditions.

2.Why were residential schools created?

The Canadian government created residential schools to force Indigenous children to adopt European culture, language, and customs. The goal was to erase Indigenous identities and make them part of mainstream Canadian society. The government and churches believed this was the best way to "civilize" Indigenous people, but in reality, it caused deep harm.

3.When was the first residential school built?

The first residential school in Canada, the Mohawk Institute, was established in 1831 in Brantford, Ontario.

4.When did the last one close?

The last residential school, Gordon’s Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, closed in 1996.

5.Who laid the groundwork for residential schools?

The idea for residential schools was developed by the Canadian government and Christian churches. Prime Minister John A. Macdonald played a key role in expanding the system, believing it was necessary to separate Indigenous children from their families to assimilate them.

6.Who ran residential schools?

Residential schools were mostly run by Christian churches, including the Catholic, Anglican, United, and Presbyterian churches. The Canadian government provided funding and support.

7.What did daily life look like at residential schools?

  • Students had strict schedules with long hours of classes and labor.
  • Speaking Indigenous languages was forbidden and often punished.
  • They had to follow Christian religious practices.
  • Food and living conditions were poor, leading to hunger and sickness.
  • Many children suffered physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse.

8.What were three common rules at residential schools?

  1. No speaking Indigenous languages – Only English or French was allowed.
  2. Strict discipline – Harsh punishments were given for breaking rules.
  3. Mandatory church attendance – Students were forced to follow Christian teachings.

9.What was the government’s opinion of residential schools at the time?

The government saw residential schools as a way to “assimilate” Indigenous children and believed they were helping Indigenous communities. They ignored the harm caused by the system.

10.What is the government’s opinion now?

Today, the government recognizes that residential schools were a form of cultural genocide. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology to Indigenous peoples. The government now works toward reconciliation, supporting survivors and Indigenous communities.



Residential School.

You see and 10 Indigenous child being held by 8 nuns in Residential Schools.


Paragraph for impacts of Residential schools.

Ali Sohail Ghulam

MR.Kumar

Social 9

Feb 29, 2025



     Residential schools caused deep and long-lasting harm to Indigenous people in Canada. One of the biggest impacts was the loss of culture, language, and identity. Children were forced to stop speaking their languages and practicing their traditions. Many survivors felt disconnected from their culture and could not pass it down to their children. Another major effect was the emotional and physical pain suffered in these schools. Many children were treated badly, and this caused serious mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Some turned to alcohol or drugs to cope. Because survivors struggled with their emotions, their children also felt this pain, creating intergenerational trauma—a cycle where trauma is passed from parents to children.

Another big problem was the breakdown of family relationships. Many survivors grew up without love and care from their parents because they were taken away at a young age. Later, when they had their own children, they did not know how to show love and support because they never experienced it themselves. This made family life difficult for future generations. The schools also taught that Indigenous culture was “bad” or “less important,” so many survivors felt ashamed of their identity. This made them feel lost and disconnected from their communities.

There were also economic and social effects. Many survivors did not receive a proper education, which made it hard for them to find good jobs. This led to poverty and struggle for many Indigenous families. Even today, Indigenous people in Canada face higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, and discrimination because of the damage caused by residential schools. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was created to help people understand this history and support healing. The government has apologized, but the pain from residential schools is still felt today. It is important to learn about this history and help Indigenous communities heal.


Work Cited 


Chrisjohn, Roland, and Sherri Young. The Circle Game: Shadows and Substance in the Indian Residential School Experience in Canada. Theytus Books, 2006.

"History of Residential Schools." Government of Canada, 5 Sept. 2019, https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca.

"Legacy of Hope Foundation: Residential Schools." Legacy of Hope Foundation, 2021, https://legacyofhope.ca.

Miller, J.R. Shingwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. University of Toronto Press, 1996.

"Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada." National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, https://nctr.ca.

Woolford, Andrew. This Benevolent Experiment: Indigenous Boarding Schools, Genocide, and Redress in Canada and the United States. University of Nebraska Press, 2015.


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