Topic 2

Residential schools and Indigenous organization, resistance and resilience

In this Unit, we look at an example of how Indigenous peoples are struggling with the structures and effects of settler-colonialism through expressions of Indigenous resurgence. We focus on attempts at reconciliation following the closing of Canada’s last residential school in 1996. The residential school system extends back to the early days of the country, and links to past and ongoing pieces of colonial legislation, such as the Indian Act (PDF). The important work of reconciliation and healing linked to these processes faces challenges as well as successes. It highlights strong examples of Indigenous organization, resistance, and resiliency, as well as of the multi-generational impacts of colonial policies and practices.