Residential Schools

A documentary film by Rania El Rafei that examines Canadian Residential Schools (47 min)

This timeline of residential schools in Canada begins in January 1831 and provides many significant events through to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and apologies from the federal government. Look for embedded links to additional information.

A propaganda video from 1955 that was designed to show the Canadian public that children in residential schools were happy and being treated well.

A 20 minute investigative report from the Fifth Estate about the crimes that took place at the St. Anne's Residential School

Watch the story of Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack, whose death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools.

Here you will find the text and video of the apology issued by Prime Minister Stephen Harper for the existence of residential schools on June 11, 2008 in the House of Commons.

Chief Robert Joseph shares his experience as a residential school survivor and the importance of truth and reconciliation in Canada.

In this six minute video, students will get an brief overview of the timeline that residential schools were established, when they were dismantled, and the apologies by government for the residential school system.

In this 18 minute video, the survivors of residential schools describe their experiences at school and the lasting impact of those experiences in their lives.

This is a collection of over 200 videos from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, over a 5 year period. You will find videos with archival videos, survivor stories and more.

This site, with 48-minute documentary, shares the stories of three residential school survivors. The documentary combines archival images with elements from the Wawahte audio book. There is also a gallery of archival photos.

Through this online book, you can explore the history of Canadian aboriginal children who were sent to residential schools.

Learn about the Witness Blanket, a large scale art installation pieced together from physical artifacts collected from former Residential Schools, churches, traditional and cultural structures from across Canada. Watch the video and then view the full blanket.