Canada's black mark

Many countries know Canada for their stereotypically inclusive and generous behaviours.

However, there was a specific time within this country’s history that was tainted in the topics of Indigenous mistreatments. This country, like many in North America, was built on the tragic mistreatments and deaths of the Indigenous people.

1880 - 1996

The years of residential schools. A short 116 years in World history, but it accounts for majority of Canada's 150 years of existence. These 116 years of residential school caused 150,000 traumatic experiences and 6000 deaths in children ages 4-16 not taking into account the suicides that followed.

By the order of the Canadian government, all Indigenous children were to be sent to an institution called residential schools. Survivors described it as a hell filled with diseases, ‘accidents’, fires, physical abuse, unethical experiments, and sexual abuse. Living conditions were poor, food and resources were inadequate, and government's indifference were considered normal in these 'schools'. Families were broken apart just for loved ones to endure these horrendous acts.

1996. Only 24 years ago. 116 years of child suffering was finally relieved. This is certainly not something to celebrate when such horrendous actions shouldn’t have even been considered. And yet it was not only considered but carried out on children. It is arguably more appaling that it was children who were sent to these institutions as they represent a community's next generation, the weakest of our species and oftentimes our most loved ones. It is concerning that generations of trauma ensued because their culture was not appreciated by the settler government.

To this day Canada's Indigenous people still remember and still suffer, yet the government has yet to efficiently support survivors and their culture. In recent years, the government also refused to rectify the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People proposed by the United Nation, when 143 other countries have.

Today is orange shirt day in Canada. It is the day to remember and a day forus to reflect on the horrible experiences inflicted on children by the settler government here in Canada. Although today sparks us into thinking “What can I do to help?”, we should continue these thought beyond this day. We cannot forget these irresponsible actions just because tomorrow is not an orange shirt.

If you are interested in more details searching up ‘residential schools’ will result in a number of shocking results.

And if you’re interested in helping, start here! Our platform needs you to help too! You are welcome to write a piece about the indigenous community or help in any way. We value group effort and respect individual help.

Thank you for reading!

Work cited :

Young, Leslie. “Residential Schools Subjected Students to Disease, Abuse, Experiments: TRC Report.” Global News, Global News, 16 Dec. 2015, globalnews.ca/news/2402492/residential-schools-subjected-students-to-disease-abuse-experiments-trc-report/.

“Historical Sketch for Anglican Residential Schools.” The Anglican Church of Canada, 10 Sept. 2018, www.anglican.ca/tr/schools/.