The recent discovery of what is believed to be the remains of 215 children at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., has deeply affected Canadians and brought attention to a troubling chapter in the country’s history, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indigenous communities have long been aware of the painful history associated with these schools. The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation reported that initial findings from a ground-penetrating radar survey confirmed the existence of the remains, aligning with community knowledge passed down through oral history.
More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were compelled to attend church-run, government-funded schools between the 1870s and 1997. The Indian Act amendments in 1894 granted the government authority to remove Indigenous children from their families for education if deemed necessary. Subsequent changes in 1920 further enforced compulsory attendance, leading to the separation of children from their cultural roots and language, forcing them to adopt Western customs.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has recorded over 4,100 children who died while attending these schools, primarily due to malnutrition or diseases. Former Senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, has suggested that the actual death toll might be higher due to inadequate burial records at the schools.
The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement has acknowledged 139 residential schools across Canada, excluding those without federal support. The schools were spread across all provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The last school, Kivalliq Hall in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, closed in 1997.
The TRC described the abuse suffered by many children at these schools as a form of cultural genocide. In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an official apology in the House of Commons on behalf of the Canadian government. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which took effect shortly after, involved financial compensations totaling over $3 billion paid to around 28,000 survivors of abuse at the schools.
The Catholic Church, responsible for operating most of the residential schools, has faced criticism for not providing a formal apology. While other churches have apologized, the Catholic Church has expressed sorrow but stopped short of a formal apology. Calls for accountability and compensation for survivors have intensified, with ongoing discussions about the church’s role and responsibilities.
The TRC released 94 calls to action, urging the government to address missing children and burial grounds issues. Efforts are underway to implement these recommendations, including the establishment of an online registry of residential school cemeteries.
The recent tragic discovery in Kamloops has sparked conversations about removing honors and statues associated with individuals linked to the residential school system, prompting institutions and cities to reconsider their ties to this dark chapter in Canadian history. Support services are available for those affected by the residential school experience, including a national crisis line for emotional and crisis referral services.