Residential schools and reconciliation
Bringing closure to the legacy of residential schools lies at the heart of reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples who attended these schools, their families and communities, and all Canadians.
Warning!
The website deals with topics that may cause trauma.
Former Residential School students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.
Indigenous Peoples across Canada can also go to the Hope for Wellness Help Link, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Perspective and experiences
Mikwite'tmek, we remember
Survivors and descendants of Survivors of Shubenacadie Indian Residential School share their experiences. This video was developed as a collaboration between Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and Parks Canada.
Our responsibility
Approximately 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend residential schools. While most of the 140 Residential Schools closed by the mid-1970s, the last federally-run school closed in the late 1990s.
The Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support funding launched in June 2021 to support Indigenous communities in locating unmarked graves at residential schools identified in the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement.
Our progress
Text alternative for Our progress
70 funding arrangements
63 communities receiving funding support for research and knowledge gathering
64 communities receiving funding support for commemoration and memorialization
40 communities receiving funding fieldwork investigation
Funding list
See a detailed list of the funds distributed from the launch of the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Funding Recipients.
Moving forward
We are continuing to work with Survivors, Indigenous leaders and affected families and communities to address historical wrongs and the lasting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual harms related to the legacy of residential schools.
On May 16, the Government of Canada provided an update on actions to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led, Survivor-centric and culturally informed initiatives helping Indigenous communities respond to and heal from the ongoing impacts of residential schools.
For more information, please visit: Government of Canada supports Indigenous communities across the country to address the ongoing legacy of residential schools.
Related links
- Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
- Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools
- Federal pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQQIA+ People
- Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- Specific claims