List of Indian residential schools in Canada facts for kids

The following is a list of schools that operated as part of the Canadian Indian residential school system. The first opened in 1828, and the last closed in 1997. These schools operated in all Canadian provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick.

The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (often called IRSSA) was a way to formally recognize 139 residential schools across Canada. However, this number does not include schools that ran without money from the federal government.

The very last school to close was Kivalliq Hall in Rankin Inlet, which is now in Nunavut. It closed in 1997. This school was recognized as part of the IRSSA in 2019 after a court decision. That's why some older records might say the last school closed in 1996.

Schools in Newfoundland and Labrador were not part of the first agreement made by the Harper government. Instead, they reached their own agreement with the federal government in 2016 after a lawsuit.

What Were Residential Schools?

Residential schools were places where Indigenous children in Canada were sent, often far from their homes and families. The government and some churches ran these schools. The idea behind them was to force Indigenous children to adopt Canadian ways of life and forget their own cultures, languages, and traditions.

Children were often not allowed to speak their native languages or practice their customs. They were separated from their families, sometimes for many years. These schools caused a lot of harm to Indigenous children and their families, and their effects are still felt today.

Why Did They Close?

Over time, people realized the great harm these schools were causing. Many schools began to close, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. The last one closed in 1997. After they closed, there was a big effort to acknowledge the harm done and to help survivors.

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement was created to provide some support to those who went to these schools. It was a way for the government and churches to apologize and try to make things right.

List of Schools

Many residential schools operated across Canada. The list below shows some of them. These schools were run by different groups, including various churches and sometimes the government.

See also

• Canadian Indian residential school system
• Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Kamloops Indian Residential School
• Marieval Indian Residential School
• Lejac Residential School
• New Zealand Native schools
• Where the Spirit Lives - 1989 film about residential schools