Residential Schools

Since nothing of interest happened today, I have decided to finally tackle the subject of residential schools. I did not want to bring up this issue without both the knowledge of their history as well as being able to discuss the consequences they have had on Northern communities. I have tried to make this information as comprehensive as possible, but am aware that I may never fully understand the horrific nature of these schools and their impacts.

Residential schools were Canada's way of "civilizing" aboriginal peoples. The phenomenon was most widespread during the 1950s and 1960s, although it lasted many years. Over half of these schools were Roman Catholic, the rest Anglican or some type of Protestantism. Native children were stripped from their parents at a very young age and forced to practice Christianity and learn English, French and other academic subjects. Aboriginal parents had no say in the matter. If they refused to send her children, they would be jailed. Also, the government gave out "baby bonus checks" for each child, but withheld them if the parent refused to send them to school. According to one elder from Cambridge Bay, her daughter was allowed to visit home for about two weeks per year. Though she loved seeing her daughter, she almost dreaded her coming home, because they had difficulty communicating with each other and held different opinions.

Truthfully, how can two people reconcile such differences? The daughter was being told her mother's culture was evil and wrong.

It looks a lot nicer than it was

If children were unruly, practiced their native religions, spoke their native languages, etc. they were punished. In the first five years of attending these schools, 35-60% of the students died, not only from abuse, but from lack of sanitary conditions and tuberculosis.

Since I arrived in Cambridge Bay, I have not heard residential schools discussed in public conversation, besides the public suicide prevention forum. People do mention it some, but in half-whispers; it seems to pain them to even mention the subject. Many people blame this community's rampant alcoholism, drug use and suicide to the pain that was caused by residential school experiences. This problem is not unique to Cambridge Bay; communities all over the North are experiencing these same issues. For sure, the cultural genocide that was inflicted by the schools can be seen today, especially as the Inuinnaqtun language is spoken less.

In the past few years, aboriginal communities have been seeking settlements for the abuses experienced at residential schools. I have heard that someone from Cambridge Bay usually receives about $20,000. The Canadian government and, in late April, the Pope, have apologized to aboriginal communities for the damage caused. Many say apologies are not enough. Others think that the money should not be given directly to the people, who burn through it quickly buying drugs, alcohol or other short-term amusements.


Here are some extra articles about residential schools:

Pope comments on residential schools gets mixed reception in North
Talking helps healing after residential school
Residential school deal gets nod in Nunavut
Where are the children buried?

I have hoped that I will find a way to use what I have learned here to apply to my communities in the United States. In doing research for this blog post (on Wikipedia, heehee), I found this article about Americanization. It seems that a similar situation with boarding schools occurred in the States as well! I had no idea! I have always had a heart for aboriginal peoples and this discovery simply furthers the compassion I have for these often forgotten Americans.