Residential School Experiences

Residential Schools

• The narrator was taken to a residential school at the age of six and remembers the day vividly, including being forcibly taken from their mother and being subjected to traumatic experiences such as being painted with white liquid and having their hair cropped and doused with kerosene.
• The school had around 220 students, with boys and girls segregated from each other, and punishment was given for even small interactions between siblings.
• As a result, many students, including the narrator, never developed proper social skills during their youth.

Indigenous Culture and History

• The narrator grew up in a place called Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis, now known as Gilford Island, where they harvested food from the forest and ocean, and had a strong connection to the environment.
• The churches played a significant role in trying to convert Indigenous people, labeling their beliefs as "heathen" and "pagan," and targeting their language and cultural practices.

Legacy of Residential Schools

• The residential school system lasted for over 100 years, with over 150,000 children attending them.
• The last school closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan.
• Many students, including the narrator, struggled with addictions, alcoholism, and violence after leaving the schools.
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report highlighted the extensive harm inflicted on Aboriginal people and led to a formal apology from the Prime Minister in the House of Commons.

Truth and Reconciliation

• Canada is the only western country to have had a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• The process of truth and reconciliation aims to bring about a more equal and prosperous future for all Canadians, with a focus on mutual respect and understanding.
• The narrator, Chief Robert Joseph, believes that truth and reconciliation is essential for Canada's future.

Residential Schools

• At the age of six, the narrator was forcibly taken from their mother and placed in a residential school, where they experienced traumatic events like being painted with white liquid, having their hair cropped, and being doused with kerosene.
• The school had around 220 students, with boys and girls separated, and punishment was given for even minimal interactions between siblings.
• This led to many students, including the narrator, failing to develop proper social skills during their youth.

Indigenous Culture and History

• The narrator grew up in Kwikwasut'inuxw Haxwa'mis, now known as Gilford Island, where they harvested food from the forest and ocean, and had a strong connection to the environment.
• Churches played a significant role in attempting to convert Indigenous people, labeling their beliefs as "heathen" and "pagan", and targeting their language and cultural practices.

Legacy of Residential Schools

• The residential school system lasted over 100 years, with more than 150,000 children attending.
• The last school closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan.
• Many students, including the narrator, struggled with addictions, alcoholism, and violence after leaving the schools.
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report highlighted the extensive harm inflicted on Aboriginal people, leading to a formal apology from the Prime Minister in the House of Commons.

Truth and Reconciliation

• Canada is the only western country to have had a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• The process of truth and reconciliation aims to bring about a more equal and prosperous future for all Canadians, focusing on mutual respect and understanding.
• Chief Robert Joseph believes that truth and reconciliation is essential for Canada's future.

A personal account of a child's traumatic experience in a residential school, including forced separation from family and harsh punishment. Learn about the conditions and rules in these schools.