Righting Canada's Wrongs: Residential Schools: The Devastating Impact on Canada's Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Findings and Calls for Action

by Melanie Florence

Canada's residential school system for aboriginal young people is now recognized as a grievous historic wrong committed against First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. This book documents this subject in a format that will give all young people access to this painful part of Canadian history. In 1857, the Gradual Civilization Act was passed by the Legislature of the Province of Canada with the aim of assimilating First Nations people. In 1879, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald commissioned the "Report on Industrial Schools for Indians and Half-Breeds." This report led to native residential schools across Canada. First Nations and Inuit children aged seven to fifteen years old were taken from their families, sometimes by force, and sent to residential schools where they were made to abandon their culture. They were dressed in uniforms, their hair was cut, they were forbidden to speak their native language, and they were often subjected to physical and psychological abuse. The schools were run by the churches and funded by the federal government. About 150,000 aboriginal children went to 130 residential schools across Canada. The last federally funded residential school closed in 1996 in Saskatchewan. The horrors that many children endured at residential schools did not go away. It took decades for people to speak out, but with the support of the Assembly of First Nations and Inuit organizations, former residential school students took the federal government and the churches to court. Their cases led to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the largest class-action settlement in Canadian history. In 2008, Prime Minister Harper formally apologized to former native residential school students for the atrocities they suffered and the role the government played in setting up the school system. The agreement included the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which has since worked to document this experience and toward reconciliation. Through historical photographs, documents, and first-person narratives from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people who survived residential schools, this book offers an account of the injustice of this period in Canadian history. It documents how this official racism was confronted and finally acknowledged.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Canada

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2015

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from the "Righting Canada's Wrongs" series, but this one definitely has me hoping the others are just as enlightening. The Indian Residential School system is an absolute stain on Canada's history, and this book is a fantastic starting point.

Using a simplistic style, and complemented with many pieces of art and photography, Florence puts the information forth in the easiest to understand way possible. The information is the kind that is not easy to digest, and there is no way it could have been written to make it so. Constructing a complete narrative, Florence starts prior to contact, gives background on Canada's indigenous peoples, and then works her way forward. The narrative leads up to present day, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's full report and recommendations (and includes many excerpts of the report for anyone who might not be inclined to read the report in its entirety).

This makes for an excellent place to start for anyone looking to understand the IRS system and the impact is had on Canada's indigenous peoples. Whether you know nothing bout it at all, or are starting with a basic understanding from the news or other book sources, you will definitely have something to learn here. Basically anyone who hasn't rad the full TRC report should have something to learn here. I would also recommend this book for any younger readers (middle school) interested in the darker side of Canadian history.

[Charlene Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Canadian needs to read this book!

[Rod Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely read considering the hundreds of unmarked graves of indigenous children being found across Canada (and more to be found). It seems that current government action to address the Truth and Reconciliation action items from 2015 are not moving very quickly.

I found this to be a powerful book about an important issue that Canadians should be aware of. This book presents the information in an easily digestible format and is a good primer for those that were not aware of what had happened (or for those who thought the residential schools were a good thing).

There’s one quote that I found very powerful: “You did nothing wrong. You were and are the victims of evil acts that cannot under any circumstances be justified or excused”. This came from the United Church of Canada in 1998. And for the Catholic Church, they offered prayers and sympathy for abuses under their watch. Yet to this day (July 8, 2021) they have not apologized.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope the next generation learns about this at a younger age than many of us did.

[Damaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous read on Canadian residential schools. This is perfect for all ages, since there are pictures to engage young readers, but compelling information, quotes and eyewitness accounts to satisfy older ones. This book takes a very objective stance on residential schools, comparative to other books perhaps written by survivors themselves. I really enjoyed this read, and I think the rest of the series would be awesome as well.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative and well laid out book that explained the impact of colonialism, the beginning & ending of residential schools, their affects on survivors & family & where we, as a nation, are heading now.

I chose this out of the children's nonfiction section of our library & found it was easy to understand & a very powerful read! A great book for all ages!

[Sherry Pike]

I have read a number of the other Righting Canada’s Wrongs books and this one is just as good. They are quick informative reads with accounts of survivors and others involved. There are links to further information as well. The images are well selected. A great introduction for people wanting to know about the residential schools in Canada.

[Laura Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-fiction. Junior High level. But still easy to read. Talks about the apology Canadian gov't gave, and about the Truth and Reconciliation process. A very good (but not in-depth) summary of historical events.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book every Canadian should read Disturbing photos and facts from a painful time in Canada's history.

[Maureen Ulrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a comprehensive history of colonialism, leading up to the creation of residental schools.

[Coatesj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures and direct quotes from survivalist is so impactful. Very informative and real. Tells the complete story, including what should guide future action and healing. Gives me hope.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very important read for everyone and I’m happy it’s written by an Indigenous person. The colourful photos throughout captures the emotions and gives an intimate glimpse of the stories told and untold.

It begins by exploring what life was like before the schools - including food and medicine, clothing, shelter and transportation, trade goods, family, community, language, culture and religion, educating the children. The next chapters cover conflict arising from contact by European settlers, children being taken, residential schools, closing the schools, life after residential schools and apologies. The second edition was updated to include information about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and more.

I feel what makes this book so unique and powerful is it includes url’s to watch videos. The videos offered a unique and engaging way to learn more about various topics such as pow wows, sweat lodges, traditional stories, history of Louis Riel, survivors stories.

[Jacob McQuade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m embarrassingly new to the details of the residential school system, and saw this was one of the better books to start with. For someone that prides themselves on being a bit of history nut, I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t started learning this earlier. A difficult read (in terms of content, not the writing - which is solid) and more of a “textbook” than I was expecting. But overall, I certainly recommend.

[Rhoda Perron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard cover glossy photo book of the history of residential schools. Also includes indigenous history of culture and traditions. I appreciated reading the apologies by PM Harper, Pm Trudeau, and the churches involved. A good overall explanation of what the Reconciliation movement is about.

[Jessica DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent way to introduce adolescents (and adults) to the topic of residential schools and the TRC report and Calls to Action. Florence does not gloss over the abuse of residential schools, but still presents the topic in an accessible manner.

[Dalia El-Athamna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that really explains the tragedy and impact of residential schools on the indeginous population.

[John Brady · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a survivor myself, I'm made uncomfortable by any book on Residential Schools that devotes any time to "positive" aspects of Residential Schools.

There weren't any. There were only moments less painful than others.

[Ben J. Maure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Residential Schools, Righting Canada’s Wrongs

Like many, I heard a lot about the horror of the residential schools and wanted to know more. So, a few days ago, while at Chapters Indigo, I picked up a book on display called: Residential Schools, Righting Canada’s Wrongs—The devastating impact on Canada’s Indigenous People and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and Calls for Action, authored by Mrs. Melanie Florence. The stories kept me glued to the book. Her book is easy-to-read, illustrated, and authoritatively referenced through findings from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.

If you are interested in knowing more about the multigenerational impact of the schools on First Nations people, this book is for you!!

Ben Maure
Author

[Gisele Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this important book. This is the real history of Turtle Island. Not the stuff they lied to you about in school.