LJ Express Reviews : LJ Express Reviews Between 1867 and 2000, the Canadian government sent more than 150,000 aboriginal children to residential schools. Removed from their families and their communities, the children lost their languages, religion, and cultureâit was cultural genocide. Former students took legal action, which led to the formation in 2008 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The information in these volumes represents over six years of research and contributions from over 6,750 survivors and witnesses. The first volumes, written in two parts, offers an extensive history of the residential schools including curriculum, building conditions, health and diet, discipline, and victimization of students. An important aspect throughout is the role played by churches and missionary societies. One volume presents the first systematic effort to record and analyze deaths at the school: more than 3,200 victims have been identified. The final two volumes examine the legacy of the schools and what Canada must do to move forward in acknowledging the truth about its history. Included are the TRC's calls to action. Reconciliation must include all Canadians and their awareness of the history, and rights, of the First Peoples. Verdict These volumes contain a tremendous amount of information and data. Of special interest are the first-person accounts and the black-and-white photographs taken at the various schools. Anyone interested in Canadian history and the history of Native peoples will be intrigued by these publications, which are sure to be eye-opening.âPatricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colls., Mt. Carmel (c) Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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