Aboriginal children at residential schools often buried in unmarked graves, report reveals

Native children in a residential school.

by Marlene Leung, CTV News, Dec 15, 2015

Aboriginal children attending residential schools died at a higher rate than school-aged children in the general population, and were often buried in unmarked graves, according to the final report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The commission released its final report Tuesday afternoon, marking the culmination of six years of research and interviews with more than 6,000 residential school survivors and their families.

Residential school documents to be publicly available for first time

by Gloria Galloway, The Globe and Mail, Nov 3, 2015

Tens of thousands of records amassed during various stages of the settlement process with the survivors of Indian residential schools will be released to the public for the first time this week – shedding further light on a long and often brutal attempt by the government at forced assimilation.

Aboriginal history, culture coming to B.C. schools curriculum

Marines from the Royal Navy destroying a Kwakwaka’wakw village in 1850, from The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book, by Gord Hill.

‘You can’t have reconciliation unless you understand what the truth behind it is,’ said Peter Fassbender

By All Points West, CBC News, June 19, 2015

It’s meant to be a step towards reconciliation: B.C.’s new education curriculum will include more instruction on aboriginal culture and history.

The province says this is a response to a “call for action” coming out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission really showed us the urgent need we have to move forward in a very positive way,” said Education Minister Peter Fassbender. 

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: By the numbers

Summary report is only one step in reconciliation

By Daniel Schwartz, CBC News, June 2, 2015

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Canada’s Indian residential schools uses the term cultural genocide for what happened to the 150,000 or so aboriginal children and their families while the schools operated.

“Residential schooling was always more than simply an educational program: it was an integral part of a conscious policy of cultural genocide,” the TRC’s summary report states.

6,000 aboriginal children died in residential school system, report finds

Final report from Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be released June 3

By John Paul Tasker, CBC News, May 29, 2015

At least 6,000 aboriginal children died while in the residential school system, says Justice Murray Sinclair, the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Sinclair, who has been tasked with studying the legacy of the residential schools, says that the figure is just an estimate and is likely much higher. Residential schools were established in the 19th century and the last ones closed in 1996.

Fighting for history: Uncovering the truth of residential schools

Native children in Residential School.

A report from the front lines of the search for “truth” in Truth and Reconciliation, and a look at the people trying to make history accessible to aboriginals and non-aboriginals alike.

By Tim Alamenciak, Toronto Star, Aug 29 2014

WINNIPEG—There are two sacred boxes in the offices of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

One is a bentwood box sculpted from a single piece of cedar by an indigenous artist. Its panels are adorned with the mournful carved faces representing First Nations and Métis who suffered through the residential schools era, when government-sanctioned institutions systemically tried to eradicate indigenous culture, tore apart families and operated havens for child abuse.

Provinces hand over aboriginal death records from Residential Schools

Dene Moore, CTV News/The Canadian Press, March 28, 2014

VANCOUVER — The death records of tens of thousands of First Nations children who died during the time residential schools were operating in Canada have been handed over to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Big Oil funds Truth & Reconciliation Conference in Vancouver

By Khelsilem Rivers, Intercontinental Cry, Sept 11, 2013

From September 18-21, 2013, the ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ (TRC) is holding an event in British Columbia as part of its Canada-wide effort “to promote awareness and public education about the Residential School system and its impacts”. Simultaneously a fairly new organization named ‘Reconciliation Canada’ is organizing some events of its own to coincide with TRC’s event in BC. These events include a “Reconciliation Walk” and an “All Nations Canoe Gathering”.

‘Many survivors are in terrible pain’

Residential schools left lasting trauma, commission finds

By Terri Theodore, Winnipeg Free Press, Feb 25, 2012

Native children in residential school

VANCOUVER — Tears form in Barney Williams’ eyes and his hand rests over his heart when he speaks about how important a report on residential schools is for First Nations who grew up in the church-run schools.

“Many survivors are in terrible pain,” said Williams, himself a residential school survivor and an elder with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which released its interim report Friday.