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