Historical Look at Native Involvement in Schooling

Residential       Public

• Native parents had to be "on the band list"
• Children were taken from their parents and sent to Residential schools. Usually to Carcross, Whitehorse, Lower Post or Fraser Lake area
• Children were sent away, usually for the complete school year, some longer, depending upon how far away from home they were sent
• Parents had NO involvement in the education of their children.
• Some parents choose to keep their children "out of school " and educate them in the ways of their ancestors.
• All students were exposed to some form of abuse.
• All students were taught that their language was not acceptable in society {and through extension, neither was their family's way of life}.
• Etc....
• Native parents had to be "non-status" . Their children were allowed to attend the public school in their community.
• Parents were TOLD , in many ways, that being Native was being "less of a person".
• Students were taught the curriculum all other students were taught. Often Native people and their contributions to the growth of Canada was ignored.
• Native students were not taught, or encouraged, to explore their cultural identity.

Native Parents had no say in the education of their children