The history of Indigenous children in North America is tragically intertwined with the legacy of boarding schools in the United States and residential schools in Canada. While geographically separated, the experiences of these children shared a disturbing number of similarities, rooted in policies of assimilation and cultural erasure. Both systems, often operated in collusion between government entities and various religious organizations, aimed to strip Indigenous children of their heritage, language, and spiritual beliefs, leaving a lasting scar on individuals, families, and entire communities. This article seeks to explore the parallels and nuances between these two systems, shedding light on their devastating impact and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.
The Canadian Residential School System: A System of Assimilation
In Canada, the residential school system was a network of institutions established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily funded by the Canadian government and administered by various Christian churches. The explicit goal of these schools was to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society by forcibly removing them from their families and communities. Children were often taken from their homes against their parents’ will, sometimes under threat of legal action.
Upon arrival at these institutions, children were subjected to a regime designed to eradicate their Indigenous identity. They were forbidden from speaking their native languages, practicing their cultural traditions, or even acknowledging their Indigenous heritage. Their hair, often considered sacred, was cut. Traditional clothing was replaced with standardized uniforms. They were given European names, further severing their connection to their families and ancestral roots. Indoctrination into Christianity was a central element of the curriculum, with Indigenous spiritual beliefs denigrated and actively suppressed. The daily lives of students were often highly regimented, with strict schedules and limited opportunities for personal expression or recreation.
The conditions within residential schools were often appalling. Overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and poor nutrition contributed to widespread disease and illness. Many schools were severely underfunded, leading to a lack of resources and qualified staff. The curriculum focused on vocational training, preparing students for menial labor rather than academic pursuits. This further reinforced the systemic inequality faced by Indigenous peoples in Canadian society.
Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the residential school system was the widespread physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that occurred within its walls. Students were routinely subjected to harsh punishments for even minor infractions of the rules, including speaking their native language. Physical violence, including beatings with paddles and other implements, was commonplace. Many children suffered horrific sexual abuse at the hands of staff members, including priests, nuns, and other authority figures. The trauma inflicted on these children had a profound and lasting impact on their lives, leading to mental health issues, substance abuse, and cycles of violence that continue to affect Indigenous communities today.
In response to decades of advocacy by survivors and Indigenous leaders, the Canadian government issued a formal apology in 2008 for the residential school system. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established to document the history of the schools and provide a platform for survivors to share their stories. The TRC’s final report, released in 2015, detailed the devastating impact of the residential school system and called for comprehensive action to address the ongoing legacy of trauma and injustice. As the result of a lawsuit brought by the survivors of the residential schools, nearly 86,000 Indigenous Canadians were eligible to collect money from the $2 billion in Canadian funds allocated for payment.
The disbursement was in lump-sum payments calculated on a “10 plus 3” basis. This means that $10,000 was awarded to all of those who attended residential schools with an added $3,000 for each year they attended thereafter and former students older than 65 were immediately eligible for a payment of $8,000. How can one be compensated for the cultural, spiritual, physical, sexual and emotional abuse that robbed them of their heritage, language and, oftentimes, their ambition to succeed?
The American Indian Boarding School System: A Mirror Image of Assimilation
Across the border in the United States, a parallel system of Indian boarding schools operated with similar goals and devastating consequences. Beginning in the late 19th century, the U.S. government, often in partnership with religious organizations, established a network of boarding schools designed to assimilate Indigenous children into American society. Like their Canadian counterparts, these schools aimed to eradicate Indigenous culture and identity, replacing it with European-American values and beliefs.
The philosophy behind the boarding school system was famously encapsulated in the words of Richard Henry Pratt, the founder of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School: "Kill the Indian, save the man." This chilling statement reflected the belief that Indigenous people were inherently inferior and that their only hope for survival was to abandon their culture and embrace American civilization.
Indian children were forcibly removed from their families and communities, often under threat of legal action or the withholding of rations. They were transported to distant boarding schools, where they were subjected to a strict regimen designed to suppress their Indigenous identity. Children were forbidden from speaking their native languages, practicing their cultural traditions, or even acknowledging their Indigenous heritage. They were given English names, forced to cut their hair, and dressed in European-style clothing.
The curriculum at Indian boarding schools focused on vocational training, preparing students for low-skilled jobs rather than academic pursuits. This reinforced the systemic inequality faced by Indigenous peoples in American society. The schools were often underfunded and poorly staffed, leading to inadequate education and substandard living conditions. Overcrowding, disease, and malnutrition were common problems.
As in Canada, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse were rampant in American Indian boarding schools. Children were routinely subjected to harsh punishments for even minor infractions of the rules. Physical violence, including beatings and other forms of corporal punishment, was commonplace. Many children suffered horrific sexual abuse at the hands of staff members. The trauma inflicted on these children had a profound and lasting impact on their lives, leading to mental health issues, substance abuse, and cycles of violence that continue to affect Indigenous communities today.
For more than 100 years the United States government and the Catholic, Mormon, Methodist and other church groups have been in denial. They simply refuse to admit that any such abuses ever occurred and to refute any charges otherwise, they wheel out as spokespersons some of the present generation of Indians who have been totally brainwashed and converted to their beliefs. These are the children who did not see, speak or hear no evil.
Similarities and Differences: A Comparative Analysis
While the boarding school systems in the United States and the residential school system in Canada shared many similarities, there were also some notable differences. One key difference was the scale of the systems. The Canadian residential school system was more centralized and government-controlled than the American Indian boarding school system, which was more decentralized and involved a greater number of private and religious organizations.
Another difference was the level of public awareness and accountability. In Canada, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission played a significant role in raising public awareness of the residential school system and holding the government and churches accountable for their actions. In the United States, there has been less public awareness of the Indian boarding school system, and efforts to hold the government and churches accountable have been less successful.
Despite these differences, the fundamental goals and consequences of the boarding school systems in both countries were remarkably similar. Both systems aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into mainstream society by forcibly removing them from their families and communities, suppressing their culture and language, and indoctrinating them into European-American or Euro-Canadian values. Both systems resulted in widespread physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and both systems had a devastating impact on the lives of Indigenous children and their communities.
The Ongoing Legacy: Healing and Reconciliation
The legacy of the boarding schools in America and residential schools in Canada continues to affect Indigenous communities today. Survivors of these schools often suffer from mental health issues, substance abuse, and other challenges. The intergenerational trauma caused by the schools has had a profound impact on families and communities, leading to cycles of violence, poverty, and despair.
Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities are working to heal from the trauma of the boarding schools and reclaim their culture and identity. Survivors are sharing their stories, advocating for justice and reconciliation, and working to create a better future for their children. Efforts are underway to revitalize Indigenous languages and cultural traditions, and to address the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Indigenous peoples.
The path to healing and reconciliation is long and complex, but it is essential for the well-being of Indigenous communities and for the future of both Canada and the United States. By acknowledging the past, addressing the present, and working together to create a more just and equitable future, we can begin to heal the wounds of the boarding schools and build a society where all people are treated with dignity and respect.
The history of the boarding schools in America and boarding schools in America or residential schools in Canada is a stark reminder of the injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples in North America. By understanding the parallels and nuances between these two systems, we can work to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. We must continue to support the efforts of Indigenous communities to heal from the trauma of the past and build a brighter future for generations to come. The boarding schools in America or residential schools in Canada’s legacy of these institutions remains a potent reminder of the need for vigilance and a commitment to justice.