An Historical Overview

The origins of the residential school system predate Confederation and in part grew out of Canada's missionary experience with various religious organizations. The Federal Government began to play a role in the development and administration of this school system as early as 1874, mainly to meet its obligation, under the Indian Act, to provide an education to Aboriginal people, as well as to assist with their integration into the broader Canadian society.

The term "residential schools" generally refers to a variety of institutions which have existed over time, including: industrial schools, boarding schools, student residences, hostels, billets and residential schools. These schools were located in every province and territory, except New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. At any one time, there were no more than 100 such schools in operation. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 children attended these schools over the years in which they were in operation.

The Government operated nearly every school in partnership with various religious organizations until April 1, 1969, when the Government assumed full responsibility for the school system. Most residential schools ceased to operate by the mid-1970s, with only seven remaining open through the 1980s. The last federally run residential school in Canada closed in Saskatchewan in 1996.

In recent years, individuals have come forward with personal and painful stories of physical and sexual abuse at residential schools. The hearings of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples uncovered many such personal accounts.

Today, while it is not uncommon to hear some former students speak about their positive experiences in these institutions, their stories are overshadowed by disclosures of abuse, criminal convictions of perpetrators and the findings of various studies such as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which tell of the tragic legacy that the residential school system has left with many former students. They, and their communities, continue to deal with issues such as physical and sexual abuse, family violence, and drug and alcohol abuse.

The Path to Healing

On January 7, 1998, the Government of Canada announced Gathering Strength - Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan, which calls for a renewed partnership with Aboriginal people based on recognizing past mistakes and injustices, the advancement of reconciliation, healing and renewal, and the building of a joint plan for the future. The Government offered a Statement of Reconciliation, which acknowledged its role in the development and administration of residential schools. The Government also said to the victims who suffered physical and sexual abuse at residential schools that it is deeply sorry.

As part of Gathering Strength, the Government committed $350 million in support of a community-based healing strategy to address the healing needs of individuals, families and communities arising from the legacy of physical and sexual abuse at residential schools. Aboriginal people have told the Government that there is a critical need for healing. This has been and remains the focus for the Government in addressing residential school issues. The Government recognizes that it is in everyone's interest to support these individuals, families and communities in their efforts to start the healing process.

On May 4, 1998, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation was formally launched. The Foundation was created to design, implement and manage the healing strategy, including providing financial support to eligible community-based healing initiatives that complement existing Aboriginal and government programs. It is an Aboriginally-run, non-profit corporation which operates at arm's length from the Government.

The Foundation funds proposals from First Nations, Inuit and Métis affected by the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in the residential school system. The Foundation will assess and fund eligible community-based healing initiatives to address issues such as cycles of physical and sexual abuse, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and parenting skills.

At the same time, numerous individuals are seeking damages for the abuse they suffered at residential schools and have filed lawsuits that name the Federal Government, among others. For those individuals who have chosen litigation, the government is exploring, on a case-by-case basis, the most appropriate and sensitive ways to deal with their needs. In dealing with cases of physical and sexual abuse at residential schools, the Government is guided by the Statement of Reconciliation.

The Government seeks to ensure that claims of physical and sexual abuse are investigated thoroughly and handled fairly. To that end, the Government encourages individuals to bring their allegations to the attention of the appropriate law enforcement agency. With respect to civil suits which allege physical and sexual abuse, the Government of Canada's preference is to pursue resolution of these lawsuits in a non-confrontational manner outside the court system. As much as possible, this protects the privacy of individuals and avoids the stress of a courtroom setting. It also means that the Government is ready to accept its responsibility in those cases where allegations are substantiated and the relative liabilities of all parties (e.g. religious organizations and the federal government) are clear. With these cases we are moving to settle out of court if all parties can reach agreement.

Exploring Options

Given the particular sensitivity of the issues being raised in the claims as well as the caseload, a number of parties, including the Assembly of First Nations, have asked the Federal Government to explore a range of approaches that could be used to resolve claims in a timely manner that would be sensitive to the needs of the victims.

In response, the Government of Canada and survivor groups are undertaking innovative work to investigate the potential for using alternative dispute resolution processes to resolve residential school claims. We are currently implementing a series of twelve pilot projects to explore the kinds of mechanisms that survivors of physical and sexual abuse at residential schools would consider most appropriate. Any options identified would recognize the deeply emotional component of these issues, assist in healing, protect the privacy of the individuals making the claims, streamline the process, and be more responsive to individual needs.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is committed to working in consultation with Aboriginal people, the churches and other parties, to identify ways to advance the healing process in as sensitive and appropriate a manner as possible.

Excerpt from the Statement of Reconciliation

Sadly, our history with respect to the treatment of Aboriginal people is not something in which we can take pride. Attitudes of racial and cultural superiority led to a suppression of Aboriginal culture and values. As a country, we are burdened by past actions that resulted in weakening the identity of Aboriginal peoples, suppressing their languages and cultures, and outlawing spiritual practices. We must recognize the impact of these actions on the once self-sustaining nations that were disaggregated, disrupted, limited or even destroyed by the dispossession of traditional territory, by the relocation of Aboriginal people, and by some provisions of the Indian Act. We must acknowledge that the result of these actions was the erosion of the political, economic and social systems of Aboriginal people and nations.

The Government of Canada acknowledges the role it played in the development and administration of these schools. Particularly to those individuals who experienced the tragedy of sexual and physical abuse at residential schools, and who have carried this burden believing that in some way they must be responsible, we wish to emphasize that what you experienced was not your fault and should never have happened. To those of you who suffered this tragedy at residential schools, we are deeply sorry.

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