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  • Essay / The Impact of Residential Schools on Canadian Children

    In the late 1800s, more than 100,000 First Nations children in Canada were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools far from home them. These children suffered emotional, physical, sexual and spiritual abuse, but received the worst punishments for speaking their indigenous languages. The imposition of residential schools on First Nations children led to a significant loss of Indigenous languages. It also affects family relationships and has also pushed many First Nations people away from their traditional belief systems, turning them into an entirely different person. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayThe imposition of residential schools on First Nations children led to a significant loss of indigenous languages. Having been removed from their families at a young age, the children did not have the chance to become familiar with their original language. In boarding schools, only English and French could be spoken. Children were mistreated and punished for speaking their language. One residential school survivor reported that priests and nuns hit them, slapped them, insulted them (Knockwood, 1992, p. 99), and that students were also beaten or even had needles stuck in their tongues if they were caught talking to each other in their own language. LANGUAGES. Faced with this abuse, many children quickly lost the ability to speak their indigenous languages. The loss of indigenous languages ​​affected family relationships. Older brothers were separated from younger brothers, older sisters were separated from younger sisters, and siblings were separated from each other” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2016, p. 41) and were not allowed to see or talk to each other. Parents also had to deal with the stress and guilt of giving up their children. Some of them thought it was to improve their lives, but others knew it wasn't, leading them to turn to alcohol for support. When and if the children are lucky enough to reunite with their families, it is difficult for them to communicate due to the difference in each person's language, making communication within families very difficult. Losing the ability to speak their indigenous languages ​​affected their negative relationship with their family. In addition to harming family and community relationships, the loss of Indigenous languages ​​has also alienated many First Nations people from their traditional belief systems. First Nations people are very spiritual and sacred. They believe that all life is spiritual and love connecting with nature. Without knowledge of their traditional languages, young people would not be able to learn about the physical beliefs of their people, transmitted orally by elders through myths and rituals. Without access to elders' knowledge of nature, young people lost access to the beliefs and practices of their people. people had developed over thousands of years. Therefore, the loss of language led to the loss of traditional spiritual beliefs and connection to nature. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The forcing of residential schools for First Nations children led to a significant loss of Indigenous languages. This also affects family relationships and has also distanced from..