How Did Canada Abandoned Residential Schools

Residential School system abandoned (1969)

Many residential schools took aboriginal children from their families only to have them educated by the churches. Unfortunately, many of those children didn’t get enough or good quality food and wore shabby clothing that didn’t keep them warm. Additionally, classes were taught in English and French, which many of the children didn’t speak. Teachers were harsh and spent time pushing their religious beliefs on the kids and getting rid of their old traditions. Students were forbidden to speak their first language and became isolated from their families and cultures. Over time, children began to refuse to cooperate, steal food and even try to burn schools down. The residential school systems were found

In the 1940’s the government realized the schools weren’t effective and the protests helped to make sure the policy was changed. So in 1969 the Department of Indian Affairs took over the system and ended the churches involvement in residential schools. It was decided by the government that the schools would be closed and although some churches ad even indigenous communities resisted; the last school was closed in 1996. By ceasing to try and get rid of aboriginal culture, Aboriginal Canadians could feel and become more accepted in Canada. People gained more respect for them and the Native peoples had the chance to repair the damage done to their culture when Canada finally stopped residential schools. The people of Canada were united when Canada decided to show the Aboriginal people more respects and better treatment in lands that were originally theirs. So this event helped to improve the relationships between Native peoples and other Canadians because they stood together to protest

Pierre Trudeau issued this report in 1969 in order to address the many issues Aboriginal people faced. It was prepared by Jean Chretien, the Indian Affairs Minister and proposed that the Indian Act be revoked. In addition, Aboriginals would own and control their lands and the provincial government would have the same responsibility for them as it did for the other citizens. In order for Aboriginal people to economically develop, funds would be provided and, they would close the Department of Indian Affairs. This document would make Aboriginal people equal to other Canadians in status and encourage them to seek jobs in the cities and leave their reserves. Then they could become part of Canadian society and assimilations would fix their problems. This report was met with outrage from Aboriginals because they viewed it as an attack on their right to keep their unique identity. An attack was made, led by the National Indian Brotherhood that demanded control and self-government for Aboriginal peoples. Overall, this document was an attempt to ease tension between Canada and the Native Peoples, however it ended up separating people further. This White Paper made Aboriginals only want to be more separate from Canada and made them want to distance themselves from their fellow Canadians in order to preserve their culture. That’s why this paper intending to bring people together actually made them