Indian Residential Schools

Warning! The website deals with topics that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse. The Government of Canada recognizes the need for safety measures to minimize the risk associated with triggering. A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services. You can also get information on how to get other health supports from the Government of Canada. Please call the Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you or someone you know is triggered while reading the content on this website.

Some 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend residential schools. While most of the 139 Indian Residential Schools ceased to operate by the mid-1970s, the last federally-run school closed in the late 1990s. In May 2006, the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement was approved by all parties to the Agreement. The implementation of the Settlement Agreement began in September 2007 with the aim of bringing a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools.

Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement The implementation of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement began on September 19, 2007. The Settlement Agreement represents the consensus reached between legal counsel for former students, legal counsel for the Churches, the Assembly of First Nations, other Indigenous organizations and the Government of Canada. The implementation of this historic agreement brings a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools. The Settlement Agreement includes five different elements to address the legacy of Indian Residential Schools: a Common Experience Payment (CEP) for all eligible former students of Indian Residential Schools

an Independent Assessment Process (IAP) for claims of sexual or serious physical abuse

measures to support healing such as the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program and an endowment to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation

commemorative activities

the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Bringing closure to the legacy of Indian residential schools lies at the heart of reconciliation and a renewal of the relationships between Indigenous peoples who attended these schools, their families and communities, and all Canadians. Settlement Agreement and Schedules

Statistics on implementation of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement

Common Experience Payments The Common Experience Payment is one of two components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement that provide financial compensation, along with the Independent Assessment Process. Applications for the Common Experience Payments are no longer being accepted. Learn more about the distribution of Common Experience Payments. As the number of active Common Experience Payment cases has been greatly reduced, INAC has centralized the Common Experience Payment Lines at Crawford Class Action Services. The new toll-free number is 1-866-640-9992. More information can be found on the Common Experience Payments page.

Independent Assessment Process The Independent Assessment Process (IAP) is a claimant-centered, non-adversarial, out-of-court process for the resolution of claims of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, and other wrongful acts suffered at Indian Residential Schools. The IAP is one of two components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) that provide financial compensation along with the Common Experience Payment (CEP). The deadline to apply for the Independent Assessment Process has passed. Applications were accepted until September 19, 2012. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement states that no applications will be accepted after this date. The IAP is the only way a former student may pursue a claim of sexual or serious physical abuse, or other wrongful acts, unless they opted out of the Settlement Agreement. Compensation through the IAP will be paid at 100% by the Government of Canada in all cases, following a hearing of the claim by an independent Adjudicator. Independent Assessment Process claims There are three categories of claims: sexual and physical assaults, as particularized in the IAP , which were committed by an adult employee of the residential school or another adult who was lawfully on the premises

, which were committed by an adult employee of the residential school or another adult who was lawfully on the premises sexual or physical assaults, as particularized in the IAP , committed by one student against another at residential school, in which case staff knew or should have known about the abuse; or, in serious sexual abuse cases, where reasonable supervision standards were not in place

, committed by one student against another at residential school, in which case staff knew or should have known about the abuse; or, in serious sexual abuse cases, where reasonable supervision standards were not in place any other wrongful act or acts committed by an adult employee or another adult lawfully on the premises where the abuse caused serious psychological consequences for the claimant, as particularized in the IAP Statistics on implementation of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. Map of distribution of Independent Assessment Process settlements. Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat The mandate of the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat is to implement and administer the Independent Assessment Process (IAP) under the direction of the Chief Adjudicator in an independent, objective and impartial manner. The Secretariat does the paper work and support work to make process go smoothly. They: receive the claims

assesses them to see if they are eligible for the process

Work with claimants and their lawyers to prepare claims for a hearing. The Executive Director of the Secretariat reports to the Chief Adjudicator. Independent Assessment Process guide

Commemoration Commemoration is a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement that supported regional and national activities that honoured, educated, remembered and paid tribute to former Indian residential school (IRS) students, their families and their communities. Commemoration was jointly managed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The TRC 's role was to receive and review proposals to ensure they met the program objectives, as set out in Schedule J of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and to make recommendations for funding. The department's role was to approve and fund the projects recommended by the TRC , (PDF Version, 121 Kb , 2 pages) as set out in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and ensure compliance with Treasury Board guidelines. Commemoration objectives The main objectives of Commemoration were to: assist in honoring and validating the healing and reconciliation of former students and their families through Commemoration initiatives that address their residential school experience

provide support towards efforts to improve and enhance Indigenous relationships and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people

provide an opportunity for former students and their families to support one another and to recognize/celebrate their strengths, courage, resiliency and achievements

contribute to a sense of identity, unity and belonging

promote Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditional and spiritual values

ensure that the legacy of residential schools and former students and their families' experiences and needs are affirmed

memorialize in a tangible and permanent way the residential school experience Commemoration projects $20 million in funding was set aside by the Government of Canada to fund 144 commemoration projects. The projects recognized individual and family resiliency and achievements, as well as promoted Indigenous languages, cultures, traditional values and spiritual values. All former students, their families, communities and groups, were eligible to submit a proposal for a regional or national Commemoration project. The distribution of funding was based on the projects recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Commemoration 2012-2013 - Project Descriptions

Commemoration 2011-2012 - Project Descriptions

Commemoration partners and funding Gestures of reconciliation from the Government of Canada At each of the TRC's seven national events, the Government of Canada offered gestures of reconciliation: Choose a Truth and Reconciliation Commission National Event Winnipeg, Manitoba – June 2010: The Government of Canada announced its intent to repeal those sections of the Indian Act that allowed for the establishment of Indian residential schools and the removal of children from their homes and communities. Advocacy and public information program $50,000 through the Advocacy and Public Information Program to northern Aboriginal organizations to support former students' travel to the event. Inuvik, Northwest Territories – June 2011: Travel for an Inuit elder to present her booklets on traditional Inuit knowledge for living well

Funding to print ' Cultivating Canada', (PDF Version, 134 Mb , 466 pages) the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's third volume on Truth and Reconciliation, for distribution at the event Advocacy and public information program $800,000 to northern Aboriginal organizations to support former students travel to the event Halifax, Nova Scotia – October 2011: Funding to print the Sioux Lookout Community Coalition on Healing and Reconciliations' " Starting to Talk: A Guide for Communities on Healing and Reconciliation from the Legacy of Indian Residential Schools" (PDF Version, 544 Kb , 28 pages)

Starting to Talk: A Guide for Communities on Healing and Reconciliation from the Legacy of Indian Residential Schools" (PDF Version, 544 , 28 pages) On October 27, 2011, Minister Duncan of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced that the Government of Canada would commemorate the legacy of Indian residential schools through a permanent installation of stained glass artwork in Centre Block on Parliament Hill in 2012

Minister Duncan placed a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement of Apology and a DVD recording of the June 11, 2008 event in the TRC 's Bentwood Box. Advocacy and public information program $200,000 through the Advocacy and Public Information Program and Health Canada to support travel and accommodations for former students' to attend the event; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – June 2012: Funding to the Saskatoon Tribal Council to set up accommodations for survivors in a large campsite at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a historic gathering place for Aboriginal people in the region

On June 11, 2012, the fourth anniversary of the Prime Minister's Apology, Minister Duncan unveiled the artwork of Métis artist Christi Belcourt, which was selected to be translated into a stained glass window and permanently installed in Parliament to commemorate the legacy of Indian residential schools. Minister Duncan placed an image of the stained glass artwork in the TRC 's Bentwood Box. Advocacy and public information program $150,000 to support former students' travel to the event Montreal, Quebec – April 2013: $183,000 to support over 120 former students' travel to this event

Presentation of the Legacy of Hope Foundation's 100 Years of Loss Edu-kit to the TRC 's Bentwood Box Advocacy and public information program Funded the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission to display the Memoire Rouge exhibit at the event. The exhibit was created by the Huron-Wendat Museum and aims to shed light on the history of the Indian residential schools in Quebec

Les Pléiades Associées received funding, through the Commemoration initiative to create a wampum belt , a traditional artifact that represents collective memory and experiences, using artifacts and testimony from former students across various communities in Quebec. AANDC funded the display of the belt at the national event, where it was presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Vancouver, British Columbia – September 2013: $271,000 to support former students' travel and accommodations to attend this event. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada partnered with the BC First Nations Health Authority to distribute these funds to former students

funding for two projects to present at the BC national event: the Ernie Philip Residential School Healing and Reconciliation Society created a documentary entitled "The Story of Dancing Bear", the life journey of Ernie Philip, from his days as a young boy at residential school to his life as a world-class artist named Dancing Bear. The department supported this Commemoration project to attend the national event and distributed copies of the documentary at the Government of Canada booth. the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre Society's project " Circles of Understanding " provides educational materials and an exhibit to promote awareness of residential schools and their effects on Aboriginal communities

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's employees, who wok on residential schools issues, presented a written statement on reconciliation and the impacts of the work they do as Canada's representatives in the Independent Assessment Process. Edmonton, Alberta – March 2014: An art exhibit featuring 26 works of art from the department's art collection by 12 Aboriginal artists from Alberta. The exhibit is a partnership between the University of Alberta Museums Enterprise Square Galleries and AANDC . Advocacy and public information program $330,000 to support former students' travel to the event

Funds for Path to Freedom Films Ltd. and Tribal Alliance Productions to host a private film screening and panel discussion on "Older Than America", a film that delves into the lasting impact of Indian residential schools across the United States and Canada. This private screening and panel discussion with leading experts provided City of Edmonton officials and front-line service providers the opportunity to increase their knowledge and gain a better understanding of the intergenerational effects of residential schools

and Tribal Alliance Productions to host a private film screening and panel discussion on "Older Than America", a film that delves into the lasting impact of Indian residential schools across the United States and Canada. This private screening and panel discussion with leading experts provided City of Edmonton officials and front-line service providers the opportunity to increase their knowledge and gain a better understanding of the intergenerational effects of residential schools Funds for the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth to reprint a special edition of its New Tribe Magazine for youth on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools

Funds for the Native Counseling Services of Alberta and Project of Heart to establish a permanent commemoration exhibit in each province and territory, made using the Project of Heart tiles created by children, youth and elders in schools across the country

Funds for the Legacy of Hope Foundation to fabricate and disseminate 1000 additional "100 Years of Loss" educational kits. These educational kits were sent to provincial school districts throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, to support increased awareness and understanding of the legacy of Indian residential schools. Remembering the past: A window to the future In October 2012, a stained glass window was installed in the Centre Block on Parliament Hill to serve as a gesture of reconciliation from the Government of Canada and all Canadians and a lasting commemoration of the sad chapter of Indian Residential Schools in Canadian history. Designed by renowned Métis artist Christi Belcourt, the window commemorates the legacy of Indian residential schools and the Prime Minister's Apology to former students on behalf of all Canadians. The window was installed directly above the west entrance to Centre Block, providing a unique opportunity for Parliamentarians and visitors to Parliament to learn about the history of Indian residential schools and Canada's ongoing reconciliation efforts. More about Remembering the Past: A Window to the Future.

Health and healing The Government is committed to a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools. An important part of this process is working closely with former students, their families, and communities in support of projects that promote healing. Under the terms of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, Health Canada provides mental health and emotional supports through the Resolution Health Support Program. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada continues to support former students in crisis by funding the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line, a national, 24-hour toll-free support service (1-866-925-4419) operated by trained crisis counselors, many of whom are Indigenous. Additionally, the Settlement Agreement provided $125 million to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation for community-based healing initiatives. IRS Resolution Health Support Program The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP) provides mental health and emotional support services directly to former students and their families as they participate in the different components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The following services are provided: emotional support: Resolution health support workers to listen, talk and provide support through all phases of the Settlement Agreement

cultural support: Elders and/or traditional healers for teachings, ceremonies, dialogue and traditional healing

professional counseling: Psychologists and social workers that are registered with Health Canada, for individual or family counseling

assistance with transportation may be offered when professional counseling and cultural support services are not locally available. For more information, please visit Health Canada.