Grade 9

Prior to European contact, First Nations people had their own education system and their own belief systems in how children learned their traditional gender roles, gained spirituality, became part of their community, interacted with nature and so forth. It is important to be aware of the way First Nation people taught their children in order to compare and understand the impact of residential schools had on these children and of generations to come. Students will learn about Traditional Knowledge Systems, have the opportunity to identify with pre-colonial First Nations children and participate in a traditional sharing circle.

Residential schools or boarding schools as referred to in different countries, not only happened in Canada, they also happened in other countries affecting many Indigenous Groups around the world. European contact made for many struggles that arose between First Nations people and the European settlers. Educating "Indians" through assimilation became the goal, "kill the Indian, save the man", Colonel Richard Pratt's philosophy behind the creation of U.S. Indian Boarding Schools in the 1870's and the (attempted) destruction of the Indian culture began.

For over 100 years, the main goals of the residential schools were to assimilate and civilize First Nations' children. Ways in which the schools tried to "kill the Indian in the child", resulted in lifelong struggles for residential school survivors, their family members and communities. Students will learn about the impacts caused by residential schools. Students will learn about traditional types of healing, specifically art. Students will reflect upon art by Survivors and have the opportunity to share information about themselves through their own piece of art.

With years of persistence, courage, strength and determination, Aboriginals presented the Canadian government facts and dire issues facing former residential school students. This resulted in a formal apology by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. On June 11, 2008 awareness of a very dark chapter of Canadian History came to light. Apologies and admittance from the Canadian government regarding its role in the forced assimilation of First Nations, Inuit and Metis children and the serious intergenerational impacts of the legacy of residential schools was brought forth to all Canadians. Sadly enough, this was the first time some Canadians had ever heard of residential schools, that happened over 100 years ago.

The legacy of residential schools in Canada lives on through generations of First Nations children returned home. They brought with them various abuses they experienced that have impacted their families and their communities for generations to come. Fortunately, the Canadian government and other organizations saw the need to establish various healing programs to aid residential school Survivors, their families and their communities.