The residential school system has inflicted many wounds upon its survivors, most so deep they still have not healed. The first residential school opened in 1880, and the last closed in 1996; taking up a large part of Canadian history. While we cannot change the past and correct the mistakes that the Europeans made, we can try to shape a better future. It is crucial that we learn about residential schools so Canada can build a stronger relationship with its Aboriginal people.
Although the last residential schools closed decades ago, their effects are still prevalent among the Indigenous population. Many of the survivors had so many painful memories from these schools that they decided their life was not worth living. Suicide rates for First Nations people are at a shocking double of the Canadian average, and alcohol abuse is much worse. In a study conducted by Statistics Canada and the Aboriginals Peoples Survey, it was found that 38.5% of First Nations people were heavy drinkers. Another 50% were daily smokers. When looking at unemployment rates for Aboriginals, numbers are five times lower than average. It is time to realize that many of these statistics are the indirect cause of residential schools, as methods to cope with pain.…show more content… Many stereotypes lurk around their heads, impacting their lives in negative ways. This prevents many First Nations from obtaining or holding jobs. In turn, many become homeless and are unable to sustain their families. Because so many First Nations are homeless, employers think that they are incapable of holding jobs. Hate crimes against them are also not uncommon. Thousands die in homicides, hundreds are abused and missing, and many cases are left unsolved. Learning about residential schools will help us be more empathetic to the people affected by them, and likely get rid of the negative stereotypes that they
