Residential Schools: TRUTH | Begin learning
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 20 branches of Winnipeg Public Library are located on Treaty No. 1 territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. The drinking water in Library buildings comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation in Treaty No. 3 territory.
- 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.
- Indigenous Cultural Healing and Mental Health SupportsSOURCE: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, updated August 17, 2023.
SUMMARY: A list of resources and services with a focus on those delivered by Indigenous organizations or governments in Winnipeg and Manitoba, or by the provincial of federal government specifically for Indigenous Peoples.
- Truth before reconciliation: 8 ways to identify and confront Residential School denialismSOURCE: The Conversation. Authors: Daniel Heath Justice and Sean Carleton
- Residential-school denialism doesn’t stand up to realitySOURCE: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Author: Raymond Frogner, head of archives for the NCTR
Starting points
- Residential school historySOURCE: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
SUMMARY: A general overview of the Indian Residential School System that was present in Canada/British North America for more than 150 years.
- "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.
Timelines
- Residential school timelineSOURCE: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- 100 Years of Loss - Legacy of Hope FoundationThis document gives an illustrated timeline of residential schools and related history and events.
"Did you live near a residential school?"
- An interactive map from the CBC
SUMMARY: Enter a year and an address to learn which residential schools operated in that area, at that time.
Maps and atlases
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."
- 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.
- Residential Schools Land Memory AtlasSUMMARY: "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."
Find short articles
- Residential school-related articles from Active History
SOURCE: "ActiveHistory.ca is a website that connects the work of historians with the wider public and the importance of the past to current events."