1. Residential Schools

2. Historical Contexts
Early residential schools (late 1800s-early 1900s) were similar to religious (convents)
Later, they were run jointly by Canadian churches and the federal gov’t
For a number of years, residential schools became the official Canadian policy for the education of children
In every province except N.B., PEI and Nfld.

3. Shubenacadie school – 1929
Closed in 1966 – over 1000 children attended from Atlantic Canada
boys & girls were separated
Usually sent by local Indian agent, or sometimes by their families
Teaching & learning was based on European concepts (contrary to Mi’kmaq teaching styles of observation of elders and natural surroundings)

4. Cultural values and norms were no longer passed down to the child from the elders, which were critical for the identity of native children

5. Residential Schools Punishments
For failing a test: No food for a day
For not working hard enough: 4 hours of extra work (in school or garden)
For disobedience, and rude or disorderly conduct: no food or water for a day, a beating (with a stick on the back), extra garden work

6. For speaking native language: (first offense) no supper, (second offence) no supper and a beating, (third offence) considered disobedience and punished as such
For going off by yourself (without another student present): several hours of kneeling alone on a rock floor where all can see
There are many similarities between these punishments and the treatment received by prisoners-of-war

7. Effects of Residential Schools on native Families
Disrupted transmission of beliefs, skills, and knowledge to youth
Separated children from families
Prevented them from speaking their language and learning their culture and traditions
Reflected mainstream racist views

8. Left individuals in much pain-in certain schools the conditions were physically, psychologically, and spiritually unhealthy
Left without proper education or skills to fit into the mainstream society or their own communities
Long-term problems with abuse (those who were abused by stronger adults can become abusers themselves as adults), self-esteem, and good parenting techniques