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Provides some background information for Residential Schools

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In May, Canadians were shocked at the discovery of the remains of 215 children at the site of a former school in British Columbia. The bodies belonged to Indigenous children, some believed to be as young as three years old, who went through Canada's state-sponsored "residential school" system. The schools, scattered across the country, were aimed at eradicating the culture and languages of the country's Indigenous populations.

The findings have brought the world's renewed attention to this shameful chapter of Canadian history, left deep wounds in hundreds of communities and sparked fresh demands for justice aimed at the Canadian government and the churches that ran the schools for decades.

In 2015, the truth and reconciliation commission, which collected thousands of hours of testimony from survivors, determined that the residential school systems had amounted to a "cultural genocide" of Indigenous people. The federal government formally apologised for the schools in 2008, but the recent discoveries of graves have prompted calls for an independent investigation, including the possibility of criminal charges against the government and the Catholic church.

The prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has pledged to take "concrete action" to help Indigenous communities in their searches, but the costs are expected to far exceed money offered by the government. A previous request of $1.5m in funding to search for the graves was denied by the federal government in 2009. Meanwhile, as the searches continue, the number of unmarked graves - and those who died attending the schools - is only expected to rise.
Sources and methodology
Indian residential schools dataset: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba
Native land claims dataset: native-land.ca
Historical Treaties dataset: canada.ca
St Eugene mission pictures: Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre
Journey animations are based on survivors' testimonies; the Guardian reconstructed the journeys using Google Maps. Distances provided are approximate
This article was amended on 8 September 2021. The earlier version erroneously included the Peace and Friendship Treaties and the Douglas Treaties among the Numbered Treaties.

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'Cultural genocide': the shameful history of Canada's residential schools - mapped

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Recent discoveries of unmarked graves have shed new light on the country's troubled colonial legacy

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Orange Shirt Day / National Day For Truth and Reconciliation

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Orange Shirt Day / National Day For Truth and Reconciliation

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Tansi, Oki, Âba wathtech, Taanishi , Tawnshi, Dadanist'ada, Edlanet'e, Hello, Bonjour

Orange Shirt Day serves as an annual time to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools. Originating from Phyllis Webstad's account of her first day at St. Joseph Mission residential school where her new orange shirt, a reminder of home, was taken, this day is an acknowledgement of Canada's past and time to hold hope for a future where Every Child Matters. Effective June 2021, Orange Shirt Day is now recognised as a statutory holiday in Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Continuing into the 1990s, mandatory residential schooling in Canada extracted Indigenous children from their homes and communities, depriving them of their culture, traditions and language. Twenty five residential schools were located in the province of Alberta.

This webpage and the resources available here focus on the Treaty Areas, Métis Regions, and Inuit Peoples situated in the province of Alberta and was made possible by grant funding from Alberta Education. We, the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC) are guided in this work by a Partner Circle of Elders and Knowledge Keepers living in the province of Alberta.

Designed to support the educators in the province of Alberta, this webpage provides educator professional learning and lessons for use in classroom programming, including:

You can find upcoming ARPDC First Nations, Métis and Inuit professional learning events here.

In partnership with Elders and Knowledge Keepers living in Alberta, these professional learning resource focus on the people who live in Treaties 6, 7 and 8, as well as Métis and Inuit peoples.

Testimonials from Indigenous peoples with supporting activities to guide professional conversations and/or personal reflection about the past

Activities and information to support educator foundational knowledge of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples living in the province of Alberta

Information about Indigenous contemporary artists, business and local locations to visit while you continue your personal path to understanding

Examples of how schools across the province are incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being

PD Playlists to advance your own learning, or, engage in it together with your school team to learn, reflect, and take action together

Access K to 12 lesson plans and classroom activities to engage your students in learning that explores the history and legacy of residential schools in age appropriate ways and invites Indigenous ways of knowing, doing and being into the classroom including:

K-12 lesson plans for use during the week before Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Talking Circle Guides

Resources Proudly Developed By:

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Orange Shirt Day and Beyond - Empowering the Spirit

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Orange Shirt Day serves as an annual time to reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools. Originating from Phyllis Webstad's account of her first day at St. Joseph Mission residential school where her new orange shirt, a reminder of home, was taken, this day is an acknowledgement of Canada's past and time to hold hope for a future where Every Child Matters.

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STOLEN LIVES: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools

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STOLEN LIVES: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools

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STOLEN LIVES: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools PDF

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STOLEN LIVES: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools PDF