Residential Schools: About
Learn more about Canada's "Indian Residential Schools System". Find information to start learning and also to do more in-depth research.
Welcome.
You are visiting Winnipeg Public Library's Residential Schools Info Guide. This guide is designed to help people learn more about the "Indian Residential Schools" system put in place by the Canadian government and operated by several churches in Canada. This is a living resource. Please check back for updates.
The guide shares:
- information for people beginning to learn about residential schools
- information to help do more in-depth research
- sources to read or listen to residential school survivors' stories
- book lists
- sources for finding school records and other archival materials. Much of this material is available to view online.
- information about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, including its reports and Calls to Action
- the Residential School Survivor Support Line - posted to each page
image: cover of a newsletter for the Assiniboia Residential School, Academy Road, Winnipeg
source: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
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Ask Us!If you would like help with a research question or are looking for other information, please contact us. We are here to help find the information you need. Use this short form to send the Library your question. You can also phone us at 204-986-6450.
A 24/7 support line is available for residential school survivors and their families:
the Residential School Survivor Support Line 1-866-925-4419.
Survivors and their families can also access the services of the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program.
SUMMARY: Each dot represents a residential school. Click/tap a dot to learn the name(s) of the school, its opening and closing dates, the denomination of the church that operated it and where the school was located.
"This map was created using data provided by the National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation, and therefore only includes schools listed in Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement."
More maps and atlases
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interactive map of residential schools - National Centre for Truth and ReconciliationThe markers on this map are linked to archival records related to the individual schools. In order to only see markers for the residential schools you will need to "uncheck" the boxes labelled Events and Hearings.
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Residential Schools Land Memory AtlastSUMMARY: "The maps in this Atlas use place as an organizing factor for images, video, and other content related to residential schools.
These maps explore the historical geography of buildings, sites and stories through digital archival and related research."
Sources to help begin learning about residential schools
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Residential School Locations - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaThis is a list of the 139 residential schools named in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
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100 Years of Loss - Legacy of Hope FoundationThis document gives an illustrated timeline of residential schools and related history and events.
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"The Residential School System" - University of British Columbia Indigenous FoundationsThis short article provides an overview of the Indian Residential School System. The bibliography at the end lists a number of related books.
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A Lost Heritage: Canada's Residential Schools - CBC ArchivesCBC Archives provides access to a selection of television and radio content of CBC coverage of residential school-related stories. The archive includes footage of survivor Phil Fontaine's first interviews about his experience, the federal government apology of 2008, stories about churches involved and more.
The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
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The Indian Residential Schools Ajudication Secretariat"The Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat (IRSAS) is an arms-length, independent organization that is responsible for supporting the Chief Adjudicator in the implementation and administration of the Independent Assessment Process (IAP)."
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Statistics on the Implementation of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement AgreementFrom Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
Additional reports and research
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reports & studies about the Indian Residential Schools System (modern day and historical) - National Centre for Truth and ReconcilationThis page from the NCTR brings together many different reports and studies about residential schools. You will find Truth and Reconcilation Commission of Canada reports, studies from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, an RCMP report about their involvement and a number of historical government reports advocating for the use of the schools.
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Aboriginal Healing FoundationThe stated mission of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation is to "provide resources which will promote reconciliation and encourage and support Aboriginal people and their communities in building and reinforcing sustainable healing processes." The Foundation no longer operates but the website remains and gives access to the many research documents produced.
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Legacy of Hope FoundationThe Legacy of Hope Foundation stated focus is "the development and implementation of programming that educates Canadians about the legacy of residential schools and that also supports the ongoing healing process of Survivors."
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Where Are The Children? Healing the Legacy of Residential SchoolsWebsite for what was a physical exhibition of photographs. This site contains images and videos survivor stories, a residential school timeline and more. "Developed in 2001, the goals of Where are the Children? Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools are to: acknowledge the experiences of, and the impacts and consequences of Canada’s Residential School System on Aboriginal peoples; to create a public and historical record of this period in Canadian history that could be easily accessed by Canadians; and to promote public awareness, understanding and education of the history and legacy of residential schools."