Residential Schools were a federally implemented institutionalization of Indigenous children in Canada. Children were forcibly taken from their families to distant boarding schools. Children were physically, emotionally, and sexually abused at these schools. Indigenous children had their culture stripped and were punished for speaking their language. The Canadian government slowly started replacing Residential School assimilation with a foster care and adoption assimilation policy now known as the 60's Scoop. The last Residential School closed it's doors in 1996.
In late May 2021 a mass unmarked grave of 215 children was located at the site of Kamloops Residential School. Since then, other Residential School sites are being investigated with more unmarked mass graves being found. These events have opened public discussion regarding Residential Schools with public demonstrations occurring to support Residential School Survivors and their descendants.
For Residential School Survivors and their families this is an especially difficult time. Please seek support as needed. The Indian Residential School Survivor Society 24hr phone service is available at 1-866-925-4419.
