1. Injustices in the Early 20th Century of Canadian History
Is it the responsibility of modern governments to apologize for mistakes in the past?

2. Residential Schools

3. Objective: “kill the Indian in the child”
Began by federal government in 1892 to educate and assimilate First Nations into European culture
Objective: “kill the Indian in the child”
How? Children as young as 5 were taken away from their families and required to attend residential schools that were run by the church
Children attended these schools year round and rarely had visits with their families
Children dressed in European clothing and assumed European names
Children learned European subjects and were forced to speak English
Children went to school in the mornings and had to complete jobs/chores in the afternoon
In the 1970s, residential schools begin to be transferred to Indian bands

4. Result: First Nations children lost their language, culture, and identity
Result: Children suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of the Church
Result: In adulthood, these students turned to alcohol, drugs, and crime to dull the pain of their experiences
Result: Multiple generations of First Nations families have suffered since the last school closed in 1996

5. Federal Government’s Response
The Federal Government under Stephen Harper (Conservatives) officially apologized in the House of Commons on June 11, 2008
1986: United Church apologizes
1994: Presbyterian Church apologizes
2009: Catholic Church apologizes (apology given at Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI

6. Canadian Government Apology

7. Establishment of a 5 year Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission
$2 billion settlement reached in 2006 among government, church, and former students
Two types of reconciliation payments: Common Experience Payments and Independent Assessment Process
By Dec 2008, 96,000 applications were received
71,759 have been approved for payments = $1.3 billion
Average payments is just over $20,000
IAP = $88 million
Many survivors who have received payment have spiralled downward; has led to suicides, substance abuse, and depression
Some were angry at the little amount of compensation
For some it was a trigger – a full disclosure of what happened and now had to deal with the aftermath (memories)
For some, they had no support to help them move forward from the memories and experiences
Post traumatic stress disorder
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine believes there should have been counselling provided when given the settlement package

8. Chinese Head Tax

9. Background
In 1885, the first head tax was imposed on Chinese immigrants at a cost of $50
This tax eventually rose to $500
By 1923, the tax was replaced with restrictions on all Chinese immigration

10. Federal Government’s Response
The Federal Government under Stephen Harper (Conservatives) officially apologized in the House of Commons on June 22, 2006
About 20 surviving Chinese-Canadians will receive compensation

11. Canadian Government Apology

12. Surviving Chinese Canadians who paid the tax, or their surviving spouses, will receive a symbolic $20,000 payment*
*must produce a certified copy of the Head Tax certificate
$34 million will be given towards community projects and education programs that acknowledge the past discriminatory policies and how they have impacted the community
$24 million for a historical recognition program
$10 million for federal projects
On June 22, 2006, the federal government officially apologized for the injustice of the head tax. Those who are still living and originally paid the tax or spouses of those who paid the tax will receive $20,000 compensation. You must have a certified copy of the certificate to get the compensation.
Some within the Chinese-Canadian community are upset that it took 20 years to get this apology and compensation; as such, many head-tax payers have died; no compensation will be given to surviving families; no compensation if you don’t have the certificate

13. Komagata Maru Affair
It was difficult to limit East Indian immigration because they were British subjects, thus couldn’t be denied entry in Canada. So the government amended the Immigration Act in 1906 to prevent immigration.

14. In May 1914, 376 passengers from South Asia sailed from the Orient to Vancouver on a Japanese freighter, the “Komagata Maru”
When they arrived in English Bay on May 23rd, they were not allowed to disembark the vessel and set foot on Canadian soil
“Continuous Passage” law: any vessel coming from Asia to Canada must make a non-stop, direct trip
The Komagata Maru left from Hong Kong and stopped in China and Japan
The ship was anchored in English Bay for 2 months: during that time no one was allowed to leave or enter the ship
Created squalor conditions on the ship
Continuous passage is an example of an exclusionary immigration policy in Canada’s history because at this time it was impossible to sail directly from India.

15. Unfortunately, the plight of the passengers did not end there
Only 24 passengers were eventually given permission to legally stay in Canada
On July 23rd, the ship was forced to leave Vancouver with all of its passengers still on board and head back to Asia
Unfortunately, the plight of the passengers did not end there
Upon arrival back in India, the passengers were ordered by British officials to continue to the Punjab via train
The passengers wanted to stay in Calcutta (attend to business, look for work)
The passengers decided to march to Calcutta
They ordered to board the ship; a conflict ensued and 26 people were killed

16. Provincial and Federal Government Response
May 23rd, 2008: the BC provincial government offered an official apology in the Legislative Assembly
*on the 94th anniversary of the event
August 5th, 2008: the Federal government issued a statement of apology in Surrey’s Bear Creek Park
Indo Canadians want an official apology read in the House of Commons, similar to what other groups have received

17. Komagata Maru Memorial - Vancouver
Unveiled July 2012

18. Critical Thinking
Should governments of today apologize for injustices in the past? Why or why not?
If a government does apologize, what form should the apology take?
Letter
Apology in the House of Commons or Legislative Assembly
Monetary Compensation (if so, how much?)
Other forms of Compensation
Who should receive the apology?

19. Socials 11 Updated October 2015
Created by Ms. Ross
Socials 11
Updated October 2015