Churches downplay role in creating problems

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While residential schools undeniably contributed to the social problems of Native people, the negative impact is perhaps being exaggerated in some cases, said a high-ranking Catholic official.

To simply suggest Native problems were caused by residential schools seems to be denied by the facts, Vancouver Archbishop Adam Exner told the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

Native problems must be looked at in a broader perspective, he said, adding that residential schools were part of federal policies designed to assimilate Aboriginal people.

The Catholic position was heard during a special consultation in Ottawa, Nov. 8 and 9, between the Royal Commission and four of Canada's mainline churches, (Anglican, Catholic, United and Presbyterian.)

The Catholic bishops acknowledged social problems developed as a result of children being taken from their families and culture, and that some were physically and sexually abused. However, in areas that did not have residential schools, the Native people still suffer many similar social problems.

Researchers estimate a minority of Native children went to residential schools. Records show between one in six to one in 10 Native children attended.

Some good things happened too, added Exner. Stories of genuine love and friendship which took place between missionaries and Native people should not be dismissed with the bad.

In is opening remarks, George Erasmus, co-chair of the Royal Commission, said that during its travels across the country, the commission heard from more than 2,000 people. At each hearing, former residential school alumni had spoken about the long-term negative impacts of the residential schools.

The four churches attending the special consultation were unanimous in declaring that the federal government and the result of Canadian society share the blame in any damage to Native people. All denominations called on the government to fully acknowledge its responsibility for the damage done through the residential schools and other assimilation-oriented initiatives.

Funded by the federal government and run by the churches, residential schools were the most prominent feature in a set of policies designed to assimilate Aboriginal people and to eliminate Aboriginal culture.

The policies resulted in broken homes, loss of self-esteem, culture and identity and loss of spirituality. Residential schools are seen as a contributing factor to substance abuse, community and family dysfunction, and suicide in Native communities.

"Although they may have become a symbol of the disintegration of Native culture and a lightning rod for anger about this historical period, the residential schools were only a part of the overall government strategy to assimilate or integrate the Native people," said the Catholic brief.

"Neither justice nor healing can take place without significant participation of the federal government and the rest of Canadian society. Residential schools sere manifestations of the wider problem of how government and the rest of Canadian society related and still relate to Native people."

The Royal commission said it recognized the churches have made significant efforts to change their relationship with Aboriginal peoples to one of partnership. The support of the churches with regard to Aboriginal land rights, health, education, environment, economic, justice and constitutional rights is seen as an important step in developing a new relationship.