Aboriginal Residential School Presentation

On Wednesday, February 11th, 2015, the Rotary Clubs of Midland and Penetanguishene organized a joint meeting with Rotary Club of Midland on Wednesday February 11, 2015 at the Midland Cultural Centre for a presentation on Understanding the Aboriginal Residential School Legacy.  Presented by Sergeant Carol Clarke and appearance by Native Awareness Trainer Erin Dixon of the Aboriginal Policing Bureau both of the Ontario Provincial Police General Headquarters Orillia.

 

The first residential schools were set up in the 1840's with the last residential school closing in 1996.  Government funded, church-run institutions, literally stole children from their parents, brought them to residential schools thousands of kilometres away from their homes, physically, mentally and sexually abused them and decimated their sense of self, their sense of heritage and culture all in an attempt to mould them into good, Christian Canadians.  These Indian Residential Schools are a part of our shared history, a history that is disturbing and heartbreaking and not well understood by many.   Canada's relationship with Aboriginal people has suffered as a result of the Indian Residential School system. 

 

Healing and repairing that relationship requires education, awareness, and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts still being felt for everyone involved in that relationship.  The OPP Aboriginal Policing Bureau’s Native Awareness Training Unit’s core function is to deliver and facilitate training in Native awareness, culture, history and current issues to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) personnel, community groups, other ministries and educational institutions.