The Continuing Tragedy of Residential Schools

‘Aboriginal children had their very identity taken away from them. After a long trip to a new school far away, the children had all comforts and reminders of their homes removed from them. Traditional clothing was exchanged for uniforms, hair was restyled, and they were assigned new names. Children were separated from any relatives and childhood friends. They were taught to be ashamed of their cultural background. Students were forbidden to express themselves in their native language, dress, stories, songs, dances, sports, religions, and foods. If they did and were caught, they were brutally punished. Consequences were extremely harsh in the schools. Common punishments included beatings, long hours of hard labour, withholding of food or water, and in extreme cases, electric shocks. Even students who were not punished were not necessarily safe. There were accounts of physical and sexual abuse at the schools. The buildings were not in good repair. Some students suffered from malnutrition or exposure, and a number died as a result of abuse and neglect.’