Question

Which factors(identify 3) were the most influential in the establishment and administration of residentials schools in Canada?

Answer 1

The three most influential factors in the establishment and administration of residential schools in Canada were:

1. Colonialism and assimilation policies: Residential schools were established as part of a broader colonial project that sought to assimilate Indigenous people into European-Canadian culture. The goal was to "kill the Indian in the child" - in other words, to sever Indigenous children from their cultural and linguistic roots, and replace them with Canadian values and lifestyles. Assimilation was seen as the solution to the "Indian problem."

2. Church involvement: The Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, and United Churches of Canada were all involved in the establishment and administration of residential schools. For many years, the Canadian government outsourced the operation of residential schools to churches, who were responsible for everything from curriculum development to daily operations. The church's involvement in residential schools served to further entrench colonialism and assimilation policies, as well as facilitate the abuse and exploitation of Indigenous children.

3. Economic interests: The residential school system was also driven by economic interests. In the early years, residential schools were seen as an opportunity for the government to save money, which was achieved by vastly underfunding the schools and subjecting students to inadequate living conditions, food, and medical care. Moreover, residential schools worked to force Indigenous people off their lands and allow the government to take over the land and resources. This opened up previously inaccessible territories to resource extraction, settlement and development.

Answer 2

Three factors that were the most influential in the establishment and administration of residential schools in Canada are:

1. The goal of assimilation: Residential schools were established with the goal of assimilating Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture. The Canadian government believed that Indigenous cultures and languages were inferior and that the best way to "civilize" Indigenous peoples was to remove children from their families and communities and place them in residential schools.

2. The role of the church: The Canadian government partnered with various Christian denominations to run the residential school system. The churches were responsible for the day-to-day administration of the schools, and they played a significant role in shaping the curriculum and the treatment of students. Many Indigenous children were subjected to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of church officials.

3. The Indian Act: The Indian Act, which was passed by the Canadian government in 1876, gave the government broad powers to control the lives of Indigenous peoples. The Act made it mandatory for Indigenous children to attend residential schools, and it gave the government the authority to remove children from their families if they refused to comply. The Act also made it illegal for Indigenous peoples to practice their traditional cultures and languages.