The document addresses the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism and the residential school system on Indigenous peoples in Canada, characterizing these policies as a form of cultural genocide. It outlines the systematic efforts to assimilate Indigenous populations, leading to severe psychological, emotional, and cultural ramifications that persist today. The need for reconciliation through recognition of past harms and fostering mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is emphasized.

1. LEARNING
TOGETHER IN SEA
TO SKY
“For over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Aboriginal policy were to
eliminate Aboriginal governments; ignore Aboriginal rights; terminate the
Treaties; and, through a process of assimilation, cause Aboriginal peoples to
cease to exist as distinct legal, social, cultural, religious, and racial entities in
Canada. The establishment and operation of residential schools were a central
element of this policy, which can best be described as “cultural genocide.””
Honouring the Truth, Reconciling the Future
Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Canada

2. WE WERE CHILDREN
Cultural genocide
•is the destruction of
those structures and
practices that allow
the group to continue
as a group

3. A BRIEF HISTORY OF FIRST NATIONS COLONIZATION AND IMPACTS
10 000 years ago- Aboriginal Peoples lived in BC, among them myriad bands and
tribes, each with their own rich cultural and spiritual practices, and different
languages. Despite a traumatic recent history, these bands and nations remain an
active part of the BC landscape.
Colonization:
Mid 1700’s- 1763 – European explorers arrive and begin to establish claims
1820- King George III recognizes Aboriginal rights and title to land through the
Royal Proclamation. However, the new settlers are given
permission to colonize and purchase First Nations lands.
1830- Industrial and residential school system opened and run by Christian
churches Indian Reservation System created reserves set
aside for “Indians” to live on. Both the residential school systems and reserve
systems are created with the intention to civilize and Christianize Indians.
1867- Indian Act is created as a policy that focuses on the assimilation of
Aboriginals into society. The Enfranchisement Act of 1867

4. 1923- Aboriginal children are legally enforced to attend residential and industrial
schools. Children are forced to renounce their language, cultural practices and
beliefs, and any connection to Aboriginal way of life.
1927- Indian Act is revised to ban any Indian political organization or financing
without government approval. The revision also legally
bans Aboriginal spiritual and cultural ceremonies and activities.
1951- Ban on Aboriginal ceremonies lifted
1960- Aboriginal men can vote in federal elections
1982- Government affirmation of Aboriginal land and treaty rights
1996- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (examination of historical and
contemporary aboriginal & European relations. Last Indian Residential School in
Canada closed (in BC last one closed in 1984).

5. TIMELINE: Colonization to 2008 Apology
A STORY OF LOSS

7. IMPACTS
Physical
• Reserve system created resource limitation
• Diseases and alcohol were introduced creating health and
addiction issues
• Communities became childless-segregation and isolation
• Appearance changed (clothing, hair)
• Change to “nuclear” family dwellings
(opposed to communal living)
• Rampant physical and sexual abuse in residential schools
Emotional
• Traditional values changed- language changed
• Family disconnection
• Shame and guilt for being “savages” i.e. not civilized
• Feelings of not belonging, depression, anger
• Life purpose lost

8. Mental
• Approach to learning changed- residential schools
• Governance structure changed (no political voice)
• Traditional knowledge discouraged and devalued
• Family roles changed,
• Family history and connections lost
Spiritual
• Banned ceremonies, feasts, dancing
• Christian beliefs and values imposed
• Separation from each other and the land
• Prayer became secret or Christian
• Loss of traditional cultural understanding,
beliefs, knowledge

9. ONGOING IMPACTS
•As a result, First Nations communities have a higher rate
ofsuicide (6 X higher than mainstream society)
•Addictions, health problems, diabetes (3 X higher)
•Unemployment, illiteracy, high school drop out
(63 % do not graduate)
•Domestic abuse, violence and sexual abuse
(3-6 X higher).
While continuing to live through the impacts of trauma,
Aboriginal people endure racism, external and internalized
oppression, which contributes to further alienation.
This information was gathered from the following websites and publications:
http://www.wherearethechildren.ca
http://www.irsss.ca
“Working With First Nations Communities” Workshop Manual. Hulitan Social Services. www.hulitan.com

10. •This act gave legal power to the Canadian government to
control the lives of First Nations (& Inuit)
•The Indian Act refers to First Nations people as “Indians” to this
day
•Metis were not recognized as a distinct group of people, and
therefore had no provisions under this act
The Indian Act 1876

11. ACTUAL DOCUMENT 1876

12. The Indian Act was amended in 1884 to make
boarding school mandatory for all Aboriginal children
between the ages of six and fifteen. Parents who did
not co-operate would be fined or sent to prison.

13. “It is unlikely that any tribe or tribes would give
trouble of a serious nature to the government
whose members had children completely under
Government control.”
J.A. MaCrae 1886 Indian Affairs School Inspector

14. “The happiest future for the Indian race is
absorption into the general population, and
this is the object of the policy of our
government. The great forces of
intermarriage and education will finally
overcome the lingering traces of native
custom and tradition.”
Duncan Campbell Scott
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 1913-1931

15. Between 1831 and
1969, residential
schools operated in
Canada through
arrangements
between the
Government of
Canada and the
Roman Catholic,
Anglican, Methodist,
United and
Presbyterian
churches.

16. .
The residential school
system was based on an
assumption that
European
civilization and Christian
religions were superior
to
Aboriginal culture, which
was seen as being
savage and brutal.

18. 1996 LAST RESIDENTIAL
SCHOOL CLOSES1996 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.

19. The unresolved trauma of
Aboriginal people who
experienced or witnessed
physical or sexual abuse in
the residential school
system is passed on from
generation to generation.
The ongoing cycle of
intergenerational abuse in
Aboriginal communities is
the legacy of physical and
sexual abuse in residential
schools.

22. .

24. -attempted to address
the lack of Aboriginal
parental skills by forcibly
removing thousands of
Aboriginal children from
their parents.
The children were made
wards of a poorly
monitored child welfare
system, and most of
them were placed into
non-Aboriginal foster
homes.
The “SIXTIES SCOOP”

25. “The healing is happening—the reconciliation.… I feel that
there’s some hope for us not just as Canadians, but for the world,
because I know I’m not the only one. I know that Anishinaabe
people across Canada, First Nations, are not the only ones. My
brothers and sisters in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland—there’s
different areas of the world where this type of stuff happened.… I
don’t see it happening in a year, but we can start making
changes to laws and to education systems … so that we can move
forward.”
Residential school survivor, Alma Mann Scott

26. Reconciliation
Reconciliation is about establishing and
maintaining a mutually respectful
relationship between Aboriginal and non-
Aboriginal peoples in this country. In order
for that to happen, there has to be
awareness of the past, acknowledgement
of the harm that has been inflicted,
atonement for the causes, and action to
change behaviour.

30. Environmental rights

31. Idle No More

32. Highway of Tears

33. “Women have always been a beacon of hope for me. Mothers and grandmothers in
the lives of our children, and in the survival of our communities, must be recognized
and supported. The justified rage we all feel and share today must be turned into
instruments of transformation of our hearts and our souls, clearing the ground for
respect, love, honesty, humility, wisdom and truth. We owe it to all those who
suffered, and we owe it to the children of today and tomorrow. May this day and the
days ahead bring us peace and justice.”
TRC Honorary Witness Patsy George

35. Poverty

39. When we talk about the concept of reconciliation, I
think about some of the stories that I’ve heard in our
culture and stories are important....
Elder Reg Crowshoe

40. The youth of this country are taking up
the challenge of reconciliation.

47. ORANGE SHIRT DAY
September 30

48. This is what I need you to know about
me…
• I want you to know that I am still secretly being called racist
names like dirty (ass) natives
• I want you to know that I don’t feel accepted by everyone in
this world
• I want you to know that when my bus driver says good
morning to me, it makes my day better.
• I want you to know that I am still being impacted by the
legacy of residential schools today

49. This is what I want you to know about me….
•I want you to know that I don’t feel safe riding the bus
•I want you to know that I can’t afford school events
•I want you to know that I don’t like to be put on the spot and
forced to speak up in class
•I want you to know that residential school survivors pass on
their anger and sorrow to their kids
•I want you to know that I hide my sadness from everyone at
school everyday