Review of designations related to Residential Schools and Indigenous Policy: National historic persons

National historic persons reviewed

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada is reviewing a number of national historic persons to include the impact of their actions on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This includes their work on developing and implementing government policies that had long-term negative consequences for Indigenous Peoples, and in the establishment and operation of residential schools.

Residential schools for Indigenous children existed in Canada from the 17th century until the late 1990s. 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 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 persons listed on this page were designated between the 1930s and 1970s for their contributions to the history of Canada. Their reasons for designation focused on their careers as authors, lawyers, journalists, engineers, politicians or senior government officials. Their reasons for designation did not include a critical consideration of their involvement in the development and implementation of policies that impacted Indigenous Peoples, or in the establishment and operation of the residential school system in Canada.

There are additional national historic persons that are still being reviewed for their connection to the residential school system and to Indigenous policy. Once completed, the results of these reviews will be added to this page. This review only looks at individuals designated as national historic persons, and so key figures that were never designated as national historic persons are not included.

Reviewing the national historic persons

Using existing historical literature, Parks Canada historians researched the varied roles of these national historic persons and prepared reports describing each persons’ role in developing and implementing government policies, or in the establishment of 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 association with residential schooling or with government policies that had lasting impacts on Indigenous Peoples.

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

Results

National historic persons and their connection to residential schools

The following national historic persons had varying degrees of involvement in the establishment of the residential school system. Their reasons for designation have been updated to recognize their individual roles. For each of the designations, the Board recommended that no new plaque be installed, as the limited text of a plaque does not allow for adequately communicating this complex history.

• Duncan Campbell Scott (1862-1947)
• Nicholas Flood Davin (1843-1901)
• Sir Hector-Louis Langevin (1826-1906)
• Reverend Adolphus Egerton Ryerson (1803–1882)

National historic persons and their connection to Indigenous Policies

The following national historic persons were reviewed for their role in the development and implementation of government policies that impacted Indigenous Peoples. Their reasons for designation have been updated to recognize their individual roles. In each of these cases, no new plaques be installed, as the limited text of a plaque does not allow for adequately communicating this complex history.

• Sir Joseph William Trutch (1826-1904)
• Edgar Dewdney (1835–1916)
• Frank Oliver (1853-1933)