Science 9

Trigger Warning

This page contains descriptions, images, and videos of genocide of Native people, and of abused and neglected Indigenous children.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

From 2008 to 2015, Canada convened a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (www.trc.ca) to document the history of abuse suffered by Native people at the hands of Canada's government, to formally apologize, and to generate a set of "calls to action" to empower Native people today.

Role of the Educational System in Reconciliation

Because Canada's educational system was such an important actor in the acts of genocide against Native people, the educational system must be involved in acts of reconciliation. For example, Indigenous content has been added to the curriculum in all subjects in BC, and efforts are being made to increase support for students who self-identify as Native.

It is important to note that the systemic racism of Canadian society means that the educational system is currently biased against Indigenous people. For example, in 2017, there was an uproar after the following images were posted from a Grade 3 textbook. Look at the images, and see if you can spot what is wrong.

Residential Schools

The residential school system was a national program by Canada's government that tried (but failed) to destroy the culture, traditions, and language of Native nations across the country. Please watch the following trailer for Jennifer Dance's novel Red Wolf.

Jennifer Dance - Trailer for Red Wolf (1:47)

1. How did you feel when you heard that Canada admitted to committing an "act of genocide"?
   
2. How would it feel to be identified by a number rather than a name?
   

In this iconic before-and-after image of Thomas Moore Keesick, the effect of the residential school is apparent.

1. Have you seen this picture before today?
2. If you have seen the picture before, what do you already know about Thomas? If you have not seen this picture before, what can you guess about Thomas?
   

Please watch this short documentary about Thomas Moore.

Louise BigEagle - I Am A Boy: Thomas Moore Keesick (11:53)

After you have watched the film, please take a few moments to consider these questions.

1. How does the life story of Thomas Moore Keesick make you feel? Why?
2. What is tuberculosis? How does it spread? How it is treated?
3. Which Canadians have the highest risk of tuberculosis today?
   

Role of Christian Churches

One aspect of the residential school system involved converting Native children to Christianity. As such, there were schools operated by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church, the United Church of Canada, and the Presbyterian Church.  Here is a photo of children in a residential school kneeling to pray in their beds.