We're heartbroken that the remains of 215 children were found near a residential school in BC. This horrific part of Canada's history can't be forgotten—and that starts with educating our children. All our thoughts are with the Indigenous community ❤️
Residential schools for First Nations, Métis and Inuit kids were run by church organizations in partnership with the Canadian government from 1883 until 1969. Designed to force Indigenous children to assimilate into “Canadian” culture by taking away access to their culture, spirituality, parents and communities, attendance was mandatory and the intergenerational effects have been devastating.
Most of the remaining schools closed in the 1970s, but there was still a federally-operated school operating as late as 1996. It’s estimated that 150,000 kids were sent to these schools, and the legacy of neglect, lack of education and abuse — both physical and sexual —is still being felt today. It’s a difficult part of Canada’s history to talk about, especially with kids, but reconciliation begins with understanding the past. Read on for some kid-friendly books that can help.