Colonization and Residential School (In Gender and Women’s Studies in Canada: Critical Terrain, Second Edition, Edited by Margaret Hobbs and Carla Rice 2018, p. 340)1(footnote) 17th Century Close Modal× 17th Century First missionary-operated school established near Quebec City, 1620-1629. 1831 Close Modal× 1831 Mohawk Indian Residential School opens in Brantford, Ontario; it will become the longest-operated residential school, closing in 1969. 1842 Close Modal× 1842 Bagot Commission recommends agriculture-based boarding schools, placed far from parental influence. 1847 Close Modal× 1847 Egerton Ryerson’s study of Indian education recommends religious-based, government funded industrial schools. 1850s–1860s Close Modal× 1850s–1860s Assimilation of Aboriginal people through education becomes official policy. 1857 Close Modal× 1857 Gradual Civilization Act. 1860 Close Modal× 1860 Management of “Indian Affairs” transferred from Imperial Government to Province of Canada. 1867 Close Modal× 1867 British North America Act. 1869 Close Modal× 1869 Act for the Gradual Civilization of the Indian. 1876 Close Modal× 1876 Passing of Indian Act Later criticized as human rights abuse by Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission 1860s–1870s Close Modal× 1860s–1870s Macdonald’s National Policy; Homestead Act; RCMP established to facilitate government control of West. 1879 Close Modal× 1879 The Davin Report, submitted to Sir John A. Macdonald, makes 13 recommendations concerning the administration of industrial boarding schools. 1884 Close Modal× 1884 Indian Act is amended, making attendance in residential or industrial schools compulsory for status Indians under the age of 16 (described as an act of cultural genocide) First Nations children were sent to residential boarding schools, like this one in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early versions of the Indian Act were clearly designed to assimilate First Nations people. (Library and Archives Canada/PA-042133) (Source) 1892 Close Modal× 1892 Federal government and Christian denominations enter into formal partnership in the operation of Indian schools. 1896 Close Modal× 1896 Wilfrid Laurier's government large-scale immigration policy to settle the West (Minister Clifford Sifton) From Canadian Encyclopedia Immigration timeline. 1907 Close Modal× 1907 Indian Affairs’ Chief Medical Inspector P.H. Bryce reports numerous deficiencies of the schools. 1920 Close Modal× 1920 Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs Duncan Campbell Scott makes residential school attendance compulsory. 1944 Close Modal× 1944 Senior Indian Affairs officials argue for policy shift from residential to day schools. 1940s–1950s Close Modal× 1940s–1950s Government begins efforts to integrate Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal education. 1951 Close Modal× 1951 Indian Act amendments Removal of some oppressive sections Maintained compulsory enfranchisement of women Names for the first time for “mentally defective or incompetent Indian” gave provinces jurisdiction over Indigenous child welfare (began Sixties Scoop) 1958 Close Modal× 1958 Indian Affairs Regional Inspectors recommend abolition of residential schools. 1969 Close Modal× 1969 Partnership between government and churches ends; government takes over residential school system, begins to transfer control to Indian bands. 1970 Close Modal× 1970 Blue Quills, in Alberta, is the first residential school to be transferred to band control. 1986–1994 Close Modal× 1986–1994 Churches issue apologies for their role in residential schools: United Church (1986), Oblates of Mary Immaculate (1991), Anglican Church (1993), Presbyterian Church (1994). 1989 Close Modal× 1989 Disclosures of abuse at Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. John’s, Newfoundland. 1980s–1990s Close Modal× 1980s–1990s About one dozen residential schools operated by bands; one school operated by government at band request; gradually only a few remain. The last government-run school closed in 1996, and the last band-run schools closed in 1998. 1991 Close Modal× 1991 Cariboo Tribal Council publishes Impact of the Residential School; Phil Fontaine speaks publicly of abuse he suffered in the residential schools. 1996 Close Modal× 1996 RCAP Final Report, Volume One, Chapter 10 concerns residential schools. January 1998 Close Modal× January 1998 Government’s Statement of Reconciliation Gathering Strength–Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan includes a $350 million healing fund; AHF established 31 March 1998 to manage fund. 2002 Close Modal× 2002 Government announces an Alternative Dispute Resolution Framework to provide compensation for residential school abuse. 2006 Close Modal× 2006 Government signs the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement with legal representatives for Survivors, AFN, Inuit representatives, and church entities. 2008 Close Modal× 2008 Government launches the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 2018 Close Modal× 2018 Forced Sterilizations still happening in Canada In 2018, United Nations committee is calling on Canada to act on the “forced sterilization”. (Source)
Close Modal× 1831 Mohawk Indian Residential School opens in Brantford, Ontario; it will become the longest-operated residential school, closing in 1969.
Close Modal× 1842 Bagot Commission recommends agriculture-based boarding schools, placed far from parental influence.
Close Modal× 1847 Egerton Ryerson’s study of Indian education recommends religious-based, government funded industrial schools.
Close Modal× 1850s–1860s Assimilation of Aboriginal people through education becomes official policy.
Close Modal× 1860 Management of “Indian Affairs” transferred from Imperial Government to Province of Canada.
Close Modal× 1876 Passing of Indian Act Later criticized as human rights abuse by Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Close Modal× 1860s–1870s Macdonald’s National Policy; Homestead Act; RCMP established to facilitate government control of West.
Close Modal× 1879 The Davin Report, submitted to Sir John A. Macdonald, makes 13 recommendations concerning the administration of industrial boarding schools.
Close Modal× 1884 Indian Act is amended, making attendance in residential or industrial schools compulsory for status Indians under the age of 16 (described as an act of cultural genocide) First Nations children were sent to residential boarding schools, like this one in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., in late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early versions of the Indian Act were clearly designed to assimilate First Nations people. (Library and Archives Canada/PA-042133) (Source)
Close Modal× 1892 Federal government and Christian denominations enter into formal partnership in the operation of Indian schools.
Close Modal× 1896 Wilfrid Laurier's government large-scale immigration policy to settle the West (Minister Clifford Sifton) From Canadian Encyclopedia Immigration timeline.
Close Modal× 1907 Indian Affairs’ Chief Medical Inspector P.H. Bryce reports numerous deficiencies of the schools.
Close Modal× 1920 Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs Duncan Campbell Scott makes residential school attendance compulsory.
Close Modal× 1944 Senior Indian Affairs officials argue for policy shift from residential to day schools.
Close Modal× 1940s–1950s Government begins efforts to integrate Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal education.
Close Modal× 1951 Indian Act amendments Removal of some oppressive sections Maintained compulsory enfranchisement of women Names for the first time for “mentally defective or incompetent Indian” gave provinces jurisdiction over Indigenous child welfare (began Sixties Scoop)
Close Modal× 1969 Partnership between government and churches ends; government takes over residential school system, begins to transfer control to Indian bands.
Close Modal× 1970 Blue Quills, in Alberta, is the first residential school to be transferred to band control.
Close Modal× 1986–1994 Churches issue apologies for their role in residential schools: United Church (1986), Oblates of Mary Immaculate (1991), Anglican Church (1993), Presbyterian Church (1994).
Close Modal× 1980s–1990s About one dozen residential schools operated by bands; one school operated by government at band request; gradually only a few remain. The last government-run school closed in 1996, and the last band-run schools closed in 1998.
Close Modal× 1991 Cariboo Tribal Council publishes Impact of the Residential School; Phil Fontaine speaks publicly of abuse he suffered in the residential schools.
Close Modal× January 1998 Government’s Statement of Reconciliation Gathering Strength–Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan includes a $350 million healing fund; AHF established 31 March 1998 to manage fund.
Close Modal× 2002 Government announces an Alternative Dispute Resolution Framework to provide compensation for residential school abuse.
Close Modal× 2006 Government signs the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement with legal representatives for Survivors, AFN, Inuit representatives, and church entities.
Close Modal× 2008 Government launches the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Close Modal× 2018 Forced Sterilizations still happening in Canada In 2018, United Nations committee is calling on Canada to act on the “forced sterilization”. (Source)