In Canada, between 1863 and 1998, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forced to attend residential schools. They were removed from their families “with the purpose to eliminate parental involvement in [their] spiritual, cultural and intellectual development.” (Daniller, 2014). This chapter of Canadian history has left a legacy of unresolved trauma that continues to propagate and spread from generation to generation.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - states that “Collective efforts from all peoples are necessary to revitalize the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian society.”

Today, while most Canadian schools dive into the history of residential schools, they tend to skip past educating students about current problems in Indigenous communities as if all has been resolved since the closure of residential schools. As a Canadian student, I will play my part in advocating for an expansion of my school’s curriculum.