RCMP Fact Sheets

Indian Residential Schools

QUICK FACTS • There are some 80,000 potential applicants. • The average settlement is $28,000. • Schools were located in every province and territory, except Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. • The last federally-run residential school in Canada closed in 1996.

LEARN MORE

• Serving Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples • RCMP Apology • Aboriginal Policing • Strategic Priority: Aboriginal Communities • Native Spirituality Guide • Common Experience Payments - Indian Residential School Legacy • Processing of Common Experience Payment (CEP) applications •C/Supt. Reti's Response to Media Reports • Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada • Assembly of First Nations • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada • Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami • Métis National Council

Overview
The Indian residential school system was a part of the lives of Aboriginal people for almost one hundred years. This experience resulted in the loss of culture, identity, spirituality, nation, and basic social and family skills. This in turn, has created many other inter-generational symptoms which exist today through substance abuse; violence; suicide; sexual abuse; mental health issues; and isolation.

The RCMP’s National Aboriginal Policing Service works closely and in partnership with Indian Residential Schools Canada, Aboriginal Leadership, Agencies and its people during this reconciliation to continue the healing process and to build stronger Aboriginal communities. Our approach is an holistic one toward enforcement, awareness and prevention, all of which are tailored to Aboriginal communities, its people and its cultures. Through sharing, we continue to ensure their needs are being met and crime prevention initiatives are territorially and culturally appropriate.

Protecting former students from unscrupulous predators is a vital component of the RCMP’s approach. Results are being attained by informing and educating former students of all ages against exploitation, abuses and fraud.

Along with its partners, the National Aboriginal Policing Services is following the disbursement process to ensure that it occurs with a minimum of negative effects and celebrates the many successes of this reconciliation.