Residential schools in Canada were run primarily by Christian churches, often in partnership with the federal government. The Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the United Church of Canada, and the Presbyterian Church were among the major denominations involved in operating these institutions. The schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian culture, and they aimed to eradicate Indigenous languages, cultures, and beliefs.
Indigenous children from various First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities were forced to attend these residential schools. The Canadian government implemented policies that removed children from their families and communities, often through coercive means, and placed them in these institutions, where they were subjected to harsh conditions, neglect, and abuse. The residential school system operated for over a century, starting in the late 19th century and continuing until the late 20th century, profoundly impacting Indigenous communities and contributing to ongoing social and cultural challenges.
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