The purpose of residential schools was to “civilize,” Indigenous peoples through teaching them western values customs and the English language! In Fort Victoria (now Victoria British Columbia) was the first Canadian residential school. This school was part a larger Canadian government effort to assimilate Indigenous peoples in a European-Canadian cultural ๐ซ ๐จ ๐ ๐ ๏ธ ..
Fort Victoria was the site of the first residential school for Songhees, a First Nation people living nearby ๐ซ ๏ธ. Funded and administered by the Church of England this educational establishment stood on the grounds of what had once been Hudson’s Bay Company trading post.
At the time residential schools were seen as a way to โcivilizeโ Indigenous peoples who were denied full citizenship in Canada ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฆ ๏ธ. The idea was that by isolating Indigenous children from their families they would learn the language and culture of European-Canadians . The school in Fort Victoria was one of the first steps in the Canadian government’s efforts to assimilate Indigenous peoples ๐ซ 1๏ธโฃ ๐.
The school in Victoria was the first of many residential schools established in Canada ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฆ. The plan was to teach English and Christianity to the Indigenous people and to educate them about the โproperโ way to live in a white society ๏ธ. Children were generally separated from their families and placed in the care of the school.
At the school children were made to wear uniforms speak only English and obey strict regulations. If they failed to abide by them harsh punishments would be meted out. Furthermore they had to work long hours without being allowed to express their culture or religion .
Over a century ago the residential school system was in operation. It was estimated that higher than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced from their homes to attend residential schools ๐ซ. This policy led to thousands of Indigenous children being removed from their families mistreated and subjected abused.
The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996 but the legacy of the residential school system remains ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฆ. The impact of this system is still felt in Indigenous communities today . The legacy of the residential schools can be seen in the trauma and intergenerational impacts that have been passed down to Indigenous peoples.
The residential school system in Canada was a tragic part of our history ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฆ ๏ธ. It was an attempt to โcivilizeโ Indigenous peoples and erase their cultures and languages. The effects of the residential school system can still be felt today and it is a reminder of the lasting legacy of colonialism ๐ซ ๏ธ. ! .
๐ ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ ๏ธ ๐ฉโ๐ซ 1๏ธโฃ ๐ ๐ซ ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ โช
