Review of designations related to residential schools: National historic sites

National historic sites reviewed

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is reviewing a number of national historic sites to include their connection to residential schools.

Residential schools for Indigenous children existed in Canada from the 17th century until the late 1990s. Starting in the 1880s, the Canadian government established and expanded a formal system of residential schooling through legislation and policies with the goal of accelerating the assimilation of Indigenous Peoples into settler society. These schools were largely operated by certain churches and religious organizations and administered and funded by the federal government as a key aspect of colonialism.

Government-sponsored residential schools existed in almost every province and territory in Canada, with most of the schools in the north and Quebec opening after 1950. It is estimated that at least 150,000 First Nation, Inuit, and Métis children attended residential schools during this period.

After Confederation in 1867, the federal government implemented a series of laws that aimed to assimilate First Nations to settler society. The Indian Act of 1876 gave sweeping powers to the federal government over the lives of First Nations, including their political structures, cultural practices, and education. These policies have had long-term, negative consequences for Indigenous Peoples across the country, including the loss of land, the restriction of hunting and harvesting in traditional territories, the banning of important religious and cultural activities, and the separation of children and families through the residential school system.

History of the designations

Since 1919, new subjects have been designated as national historic places, persons, and events each year due to their national historical significance. The national historic sites listed on this page were designated between the 1920s and 1990s for their direct association with a nationally significant aspect of history in Canada. Their original reasons for designation did not include reference to their history as former residential school sites and/or their role in the residential school system in Canada.

There are additional national historic sites that are still being reviewed for their association with the residential school system. Once completed, the results of these reviews will be added to this page. This review only looks at sites that have been designated as national historic sites, and so places that were never designated as national historic sites are not included.

Reviewing the national historic sites

Using existing historical literature, Parks Canada historians researched these national historic sites and prepared reports describing each sites’ association with the residential school system. The reports proposed revised reasons for designation that include the original reasons they were recognized for their national historical significance, as well as their history as former school sites.

The Board reviewed the research reports and had multiple discussions, carefully considering the significance of these sites.

Results

The following national historic sites had varying degrees of association with the establishment and operation of the residential schools. Their reasons for designation have been updated to recognize their individual connections to this history.

• Notre Dame des Victoires / Lac La Biche Mission National Historic Site