The Indian residential school system became law in 1886 and over the next 100+ years, more than 150,000 children of First Nation, Métis and Inuit descent attended residential schools, which were mostly run by various religious orders. The system was based on the government's policy mandate that, by separating children from their parents, they could be educated and thereby “acquire the habits and tastes of civilized people.”
Cecelia’s Dad was 11 years old when he was taken from his parents along with his little sister. He was known at the Alberni residential school as #126 and was assigned the anglicized name Cecil Paul. During the morning, he was taught to read, write and speak English (students were severely punished for speaking their native language). The afternoon was for chores and the evening was spent on religious studies. Despite not seeing his parents over the next four years and enduring multiple forms of abuse, he left the residential school at the age of 14 as a survivor with a grade 5 education.
The Government of Canada established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 2007 to facilitate the reconciliation among former students of the Indian Residential Schools system, their families and all Canadians. Reconciliation is about how we, as Canadians, can work together with Indigenous people.
While some efforts have been made to address certain of the TRC's recommendations for change, this summer's revelations are a start reminder that the real process of reconciliation is just beginning - starting with a genuine acknowledgement and understanding of the truths recounted by survivors and their families. Heartfelt thanks to Celelia for sharing her family's painful truths with us for that purpose.
