From 1920 to 1996, the Canadian government funded Christian churches to operate residential schools.By law, all Aboriginal children were required to attend until the age of 18.Most of the schools had similar guidelines that included forbidding children to speak their native languages; removing all customary ways of life; requiring children to cut their hair, eat European food, and wear school uniforms; separating siblings in an effort to weaken family bonds; celebrating only Christian holidays; and dividing school days between religious instruction and training for manual labour.Residential schools today are considered a form of which of the following?

A) civilizing non-Christians
B) skilled trades training schools
C) resocialization to create a civilized nation
D) cultural genocide

Question

Zybrea Knight · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : D, Explanation :  Residential schools were a form of cultural genocide because they aimed to assimilate Aboriginal children into European-Canadian culture and to erase their Indigenous identity, language, and customs. The schools were often physically and sexually abusive, causing trauma and intergenerational impacts on Indigenous communities. The Canadian government has apologized for the harm caused by residential schools and is working towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Definitions

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Related questions