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Canada's Indian Residential Schools

(July 25th 2015)
Report by Coralie Smith, photo by Maureen Dabinett

David MacDonald returned to tell us more on his work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada set up by the survivors of Canada's Indian Residential Schools.

David (pictured) talked to us last June on his work where he was comparing New Zealand with Canada as far as indigenous peoples were concerned.

A political scientist professor, David has just returned from Canada where the Commission has revealed the result of its work in uncovering the scandalous abuse in the schools.

David firstly gave us a quick rundown of the history of Canada as it relates to the schools and the many Indian tribes. There were many treaties signed as Europeans travelled across the vast expanses of Canada, the main aim being to free up land.

No doubt the schools were set up with the best of intentions, often by churches of all denominations but not by central government as Canada was governed by many Provincial Governments.

There was no say by the Indians as to whether their children should go to school or not. They were ordered to go and that was that. There was a very high rate of mortality in the schools from disease at first and then by abuse.

In the 1960s Provinces took over the jurisdiction of the schools. At this time there was widespread taking of children to foster homes and for adoption in Canada and the USA. The practice came to light in the 1990s and finally in 2007 the Government stepped in, apologised and compensated the survivors.

These Survivor Indians have used this money to set up the Commission to gather evidence of what went on. They held a series of National Events across the country run by committees of survivors. What struck me was the age range from young to old as this is not an old problem.

The events followed a certain structure with a parade of some form, then people could give public or private testimony as to what had happened to them in the schools. There was health support and traditional healing trade booths. Artefacts were given by supporting groups, sports teams and so on and kept in a large box.

Honorary witnesses attended the talks and then went back to their areas of Canada with expertise to spread the word. These ranged from judges to sports heroes, people who could influence change. The archive that has been created is now online. David stressed that the survivors also used humour to make a point and many of them have done well despite their hardships.

Churches started apologising in 1986. The Catholic Church has never fully apologised. Forensics is being used to identify bodies of missing children that are found buried at schools.

What is to become of the large buildings used as schools? Should they be pulled down or used as monuments and museums and they cost to maintain. The Commission has 94 recommendations to government which they presented to them on 2 June 2015, but with Indigenous people only making up 4.3% of Canada's total population it is going to be an uphill battle.

The Opposition Party has taken up the cause, as it can see that if all Indians come out and vote in upcoming elections, several seats could be won over to them. David said for him as a political scientist it is a fascinating time in Canada's history.

 
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