Native

Residential Schools

By HR17NO

  • PARTNERSHIP FACADE

    First Nations leaders in Upper Canada together with Methodist missionaries raised funds to build schools and to hire Euro-Canadian teachers who would provide formal education, as well as training in farming and skilled trades for Aboriginal children. First Nations communities would have access to an education that they believed would give their children a chance to participate in mainstream society on equal terms. And the schools would give the missionaries a means to teach Christian doctrine.

  • LOSS OF PARTNERSHIP BEGINS

    Egerton Ryerson, Superintendent for Education, proposed that the separation of children from their parents would be the best way to achieve assimilation, and also recommended that Aboriginal education focus on religious instruction and on agricultural training instead of Aboriginal teachings.

  • MOHAWK INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL OPENS

    The Mohawk Indian Residential School, otherwise known to Survivors as the “Mushhole” on account of the poor food or ‘mush’ served there, opens in Brantford, Ontario. It is oldest residential school considered part of the Residential School System as defined by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA).

  • GRADUAL CIVILIZATION ACT

    Required that all Indian males over the age of 21 who can speak, read, and write English or French will be “enfranchised,” meaning that they must renounce their Indian status and become a British subject.

  • INDIAN ACT

    The Indian Act is enacted and gives government exclusive right to create legislation regarding Indians and Indian lands. This act identifies who is an Indian and establishes related legal rights.

  • DAVIN REPORT

    The Davin Report recommends the creation of a system of industrial schools where children are intentionally separated from their parents to reduce the influence of the “wigwam.”

  • POTLATCHES AND OTHER CEREMONIES PROHIBITED

    Amendment to the Indian Act - traditional Indian ceremonies, such as potlatches and the Sun Dance, are prohibited.

  • NORTH-WEST REBELLION

    First Nations and Métis, including Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont, Poundmaker, and Big Bear, fight for the recognition of land and treaty rights in Saskatchewan. Riel and other leaders are hanged for treason. Poundmaker, Big Bear and others are imprisoned.

  • FORTY-FIVE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS IN OPERATION

    Forty-five residential/industrial schools are operating in Canada.

  • AMENDMENT TO INDIAN ACT CONSTRAINS GROWTH OF RESERVES

    Amendment to the Indian Act: Aboriginal peoples can be removed from reserves located near or within towns of more than 8,000 inhabitants.

  • A NATIONAL CRIME

    Chief Medical Officer for Indian Affairs Peter Henderson Bryce reports that conditions in the schools are "dangerous to health." In 1922 he self-published a complete report on these findings entitled, "A National Crime."

  • NEW PROHIBITIONS ADDED TO INDIAN ACT

    Amendment to the Indian Act - Western Aboriginals must seek official permission before appearing in Aboriginal “costume” in any public dance, show, exhibition, stampede, or pageant.

  • RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL MADE MANDATORY

    1920 | RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL MADE MANDATORY
    Duncan Campbell Scott, Deputy Superintendent of Indian Affairs, makes residential school attendance compulsory for Indian children between the ages of 7 and 15.

  • INTEGRATION AND STANDARDIZATION

    The federal government begins to apply provincial curriculum standards to residential schools and to integrate Aboriginal students into regular schools.

  • REVISIONS TO INDIAN ACT

    Major revisions are made to the Indian Act: women are allowed to participate in band democracy, prohibitions on traditional Aboriginal practices and ceremonies are removed.

  • CLOSURE OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS RECOMMENDED

    Indian Affairs regional inspectors recommend abolition of residential schools.

  • SIXTY RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS IN OPERATION

    Approximately 10,000 students are attending 60 schools across the country.

  • INDIANS GET THE VOTE

    Amendment to the Indian Act: Indians can vote without having to give up their Indian status.

  • GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH PARTNERSHIP ENDS

    The partnership between the government and churches ends, and the federal government takes over the Residential School System. Transfer of control of the schools to Indian bands begins.

  • TWELVE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS STILL IN OPERATION

    Roughly 1,200 children are enrolled in 12 residential schools across Canada.*Residential Schools as defined by the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). This does not include the many schools that were not of the agreement.

  • CANADA RECOGNIZES ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

    The Constitution Act is amended and now recognizes and affirms the rights of “Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.”

  • SOME CHURCHES APOLOGIZE

    Between 1986 and 1994, the United Church, the Catholic Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Anglican Church, and the Presbyterian Church issue formal apologies for their participation in the Residential School System.

  • OKA CRISIS

    The Oka Crisis, between the Mohawk Nation and the town of Oka, Quebec, began on March 11, lasted six months. It was the first in a series of violent conflicts in the late 20th century between Aboriginal Peoples and the Canadian government.

  • PHIL FONTAINE SPEAKS OUT

    Phil Fontaine, later the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, speaks publicly about the abuse he suffered at residential school.

  • ARTHUR HENRY PLINT INCARCERATED.

    Arthur Henry Plint, former supervisor of the Alberni Indian residential school pleads guilty to 16 counts of indecent assault against students, and is sentenced to 11 years in prison.

  • ROYAL COMMISSION ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES

    The Final Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples is released. It calls for a public inquiry into the effects of residential schools upon generations of First Peoples.

  • LAST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL CLOSES

    The Gordon Residential School, the last federally run facility, closes in Saskatchewan.

  • ABORIGINAL HEALING FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED

    The federal government issues Gathering Strength: Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan which is “designed to renew the relationship with Aboriginal people of Canada.” The Aboriginal Healing Foundation is established to manage a $350 million healing fund over ten years.

  • NUNAVUT RECOGNIZED

    Formerly part of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, meaning “our land” in Inuktitut, becomes Canada’s third and largest territory.

  • CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ANNOUNCED

    AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine announces a class action lawsuit against the Government of Canada over the legacy of the residential schools.

  • INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

    The federal government, legal representatives of former students, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives, and churches sign the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). The IRSSA is contentious to some, and does not represent Survivors of all schools.

  • FEDERAL APOLOGY

    Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologizes on behalf of Canada to Survivors of the Residential School System.

  • CATHOLIC CHURCH REFUSES FORMAL APOLOGIZE

    While Pope Benedict XVI expressed “sorrow” about the abuse of residential school students during a private meeting with Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, as of 2013, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to refuse to issue a formal apology.