Truth and Reconciliation

For more than 120 years, thousands of Aboriginal Children in British Columbia were sent to Indian Residential (boarding) Schools that were funded by the Federal Government and run by the churches. The first residential schools were established in the 1840s and the last residential school closed in 1996. For over 100 years, until 1948, Residential School was compulsory by law for status Indians under 16 years of age. Mortality rates at residential schools ranged from 30% – 60% and included epidemics of tuberculosis from poor living conditions, compulsory sterilization as well as nutritional and other experiments. In March 1998, the Government made a Statement of Reconciliation – including an apology to Aboriginal people who were sexually or physically abused while attending residential school. In September of 2013 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada hosted a National Conference in Vancouver, September 18 – 21 ( http://www.trc.ca ).

For more than 120 years, thousands of Aboriginal Children in British Columbia were sent to Indian Residential (boarding) Schools that were funded by the Federal Government and run by the churches. The first residential schools were established in the 1840s and the last residential school closed in 1996. For over 100 years, until 1948, Residential School was compulsory by law for status Indians under 16 years of age. Mortality rates at residential schools ranged from 30% – 60% and included epidemics of tuberculosis from poor living conditions, compulsory sterilization as well as nutritional and other experiments. In March 1998, the Government made a Statement of Reconciliation – including an apology to Aboriginal people who were sexually or physically abused while attending residential school. In September of 2013 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada hosted a National Conference in Vancouver, September 18 – 21 ( http://www.trc.ca ).