Aboriginal People Face Discrimination in Canada

During the 19th century Aboriginal people faced a whole lot of discrimination in Canada, their beliefs and culture were considered to be ill-advised, this led to residential schools being opened for Aboriginal kids. When understanding residential schools it is important to look at the cultural impact it left with kids. Dr. Duncan Campbell Scott once declared, “I want to get rid of the Indian problem. I do not think as a matter of fact, that the country ought to continuously protect a class of people who are able to stand alone… Our objective is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian Department, that is the whole object of this Bill.”(Twentieth- Century Education for Native Americans…)This is what sparked the entire problem with Indians and how residential schools came about. But, to what extent was the purpose of Residential schools rooted in cultural misunderstanding of Aboriginals. I will be looking into the purpose of residential schools being instated, activities that went on in residential schools and the impact left on families because of residential schools.
Why did we the Canadian Government have so much hatred towards Aboriginals? Before opening residential schools, the Canadian government believed they were responsible to help teach aboriginal children in Canada English and really bring them away from the aboriginal culture. Also there was so much discrimination against Aboriginals; many times Canadians would say the phrase “Kill the Indians” which showed how much hatred was shown to Aboriginals. The Canadian government funded all the expenses for residential schools, which wasn’t a whole lot of money becaus...

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...was shown over and over again how it emotionally and physically scarred the children which paid a huge role in having them lose their Aboriginal identity. The breakdown of Aboriginal family was a long term effect of the residential schools, the children lost their language, culture, spiritual beliefs, and traditional ways of subsistence. They knew nothing of family life, family values, structure or parenting skills. Many would raise their future children in the same harsh and abusive ways they were taught in the residential schools. To this day Aboriginals get no sympathy, respect and they feel oppressive. The Canadian Government has taken out residential schools but, to this day Aboriginals are still mistreated. Culture misunderstanding of aboriginals is what lead the government to try and brainwash Aboriginal kids and terminate the Aboriginal culture and belief.