The Residential School era was a dark time in Canadian as well as Indigenous history and is a topic that is still “swept under the rug” today. During this gloomy time Indigenous children were forcible taken from their communities and sent to Residential Schools in efforts to “civilize” Canadian society (Zalcman, 2016, pg.76). In these horrific efforts to cultivate Canada, children were made to look like an “average” Canadian. Their hair was cut to how the Government saw fit and they were given uniforms to wear. Children were not allowed to speak in their native languages or show their native culture in anyway, if the children were to disobey these rules they were abused and tortured (Zalcman, 2016, pg. 79). These unfortunate children had
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Although they are called survivors they are still significantly struggling with the ramifications that came along with the schooling they were put through. Once they left Residential Schools it was extremely hard for these individuals maintain a healthy life and forget about what happened to them at Residential Schools (Zalcman, 2016, pg. 82). In effects to destroy their horrific memories some have turned to using alcohol (Morrissette, 1994, pg.385), which in Indigenous culture is seen a mind changer and is frowned upon throughout the community. Alcohol allows people to forget about their troubles and relax for a few hours. It is found that more than 50% of Residential School survivors struggle with alcohol abuse (Ross et all, 2015, pg. 187). Although alcohol may seem like an easy way to forget about hardships that are faced, it is only a temporary fix and does not eliminate the painful memories of past …show more content…
83). The Canadian government has stood up and said that this was a part of their history they are deeply disappointed in and that they are greatly sorry for the pain and suffering that they have caused but nothing has truly been done to help the Indigenous community begin to heal and move forward in their lives (Mccreary, 2013, pg.38). It is important to look at the effects these schools had and remember that suffering and pain is not something that can only be seen or heard, it takes place inside a person who could look completely stable and
Although they are called survivors they are still significantly struggling with the ramifications that came along with the schooling they were put through. Once they left Residential Schools it was extremely hard for these individuals maintain a healthy life and forget about what happened to them at Residential Schools (Zalcman, 2016, pg. 82). In effects to destroy their horrific memories some have turned to using alcohol (Morrissette, 1994, pg.385), which in Indigenous culture is seen a mind changer and is frowned upon throughout the community. Alcohol allows people to forget about their troubles and relax for a few hours. It is found that more than 50% of Residential School survivors struggle with alcohol abuse (Ross et all, 2015, pg. 187). Although alcohol may seem like an easy way to forget about hardships that are faced, it is only a temporary fix and does not eliminate the painful memories of past …show more content…
83). The Canadian government has stood up and said that this was a part of their history they are deeply disappointed in and that they are greatly sorry for the pain and suffering that they have caused but nothing has truly been done to help the Indigenous community begin to heal and move forward in their lives (Mccreary, 2013, pg.38). It is important to look at the effects these schools had and remember that suffering and pain is not something that can only be seen or heard, it takes place inside a person who could look completely stable and