The Tyee highlights the growing concern around residential school denialism in Canada. Despite increased awareness and apologies from government and religious figures, a vocal minority minimizes the harm done to Indigenous Peoples. Advocates call for federal action, including criminalizing denialism, regulating online platforms spreading misinformation, and supporting affected communities. While a special interlocutor’s report offered recommendations and a bill was proposed to recognize denialism as hate speech, the Liberal government has yet to take significant action. Experts warn denialism undermines reconciliation, distorts history, and threatens the human rights of Indigenous communities.

Highlights

Here are the key highlights from the provided article:

• Residential School Denialism: Despite increasing awareness and apologies from figures like Prime Minister Harper and Pope Francis, residential school denialism is a growing problem in Canada.
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): The TRC documented thousands of deaths at residential schools and its work led to increased public awareness, but progress on its 94 Calls to Action has been slow.
• Lack of Government Action: The Liberal government, despite accepting the TRC report, has been slow to implement its recommendations and address residential school denialism.
• Failed Legislation: A bill proposed by NDP MP Leah Gazan to recognize residential school denialism as a form of inciting hate in the Criminal Code was not adopted by the Liberal government.
• Controversial Book: The book Grave Error has become a flashpoint for residential school denialism and has been promoted by individuals with a history of controversial views on Indigenous issues.
• Political Figures Involved: Various political figures, including members of the Conservative Party, have engaged in forms of denialism or downplaying the harms of residential schools.
• Impact of Denialism: Denialism harms survivors and Indigenous communities, undermines the rule of law and justice, and creates moral doubt about the history.
• Recommendations for Action: Recommendations to combat denialism include tracking disinformation, regulating tech companies, amending the Criminal Code to address denialism as hate speech, and preserving records related to residential schools.
• Ongoing Efforts: Gazan plans to reintroduce her bill to criminalize residential school denialism.

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The Shadow of Denial: Confronting Residential School Denialism in Canada

The weight of history bears heavily on Canada. The legacy of residential schools, a system designed to assimilate Indigenous children, casts a long shadow across the nation.

The echoes of this dark past reverberate through generations, a constant reminder of the injustices inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples. While many Canadians grapple with this painful history and strive towards reconciliation, a disturbing trend is emerging: residential school denialism.

A Growing Concern

Residential school denialism is the act of minimizing, denying, or distorting the historical facts and devastating impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous children, families, and communities. It manifests in various forms, from outright denial of abuse to attempts to justify or downplay the severity of the harm caused.

“The denial of historical facts is not just an insult to the memory of the victims but also a barrier to achieving genuine reconciliation.” – Ry Moran, Red River Métis, inaugural associate university librarian for reconciliation at the University of Victoria.

The rise of denialism is deeply concerning, as it undermines the efforts to address the trauma of residential schools and perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

The Road to Truth and Reconciliation

Over the past decades, awareness of the horrors of residential schools has grown.

• The 2008 Apology: Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology for Canada’s role in the residential school system marked a turning point in public understanding.
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC): The TRC’s work, completed in 2015, provided a comprehensive account of the residential school system’s history and impact.
• The Pope’s Apology: In 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in what he described as genocide against Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

These events brought the truth about residential schools to the forefront of national consciousness. The TRC documented the deaths of thousands of children. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation continues to update the memorial register, documenting over 4,000 Indigenous children.

Across the country, at sites like Kamloops, efforts are being made to identify and address unmarked burial sites.

The Persistence of Denial

Despite the growing awareness and acknowledgement of the harm caused by residential schools, a vocal minority continues to deny or minimize the historical reality.

• Minimizing Harm: Some argue that residential schools were not as harmful as portrayed, downplaying the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse suffered by students.
• Denying Genocide: Others deny that the residential school system constitutes genocide, despite overwhelming evidence of cultural destruction and loss of life.

These denialist narratives are often spread through online platforms, social media, and certain media outlets, contributing to a climate of misinformation and hate.

The Consequences of Denialism

The consequences of residential school denialism are far-reaching and deeply damaging.

• Re-traumatization: Denialism re-traumatizes survivors and their families, forcing them to relive the pain and suffering they experienced.
• Undermining Reconciliation: Denialism undermines the efforts to build trust and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
• Perpetuating Injustice: Denialism perpetuates a cycle of injustice by denying the harm caused by past policies and practices.
• Erosion of Truth: It undermines the integrity of historical truth and creates space for further distortion and misinformation.

The Role of Government

Advocates and academics have urged the federal government to take concrete action to address residential school denialism.

The special interlocutor’s final report offers a roadmap for moving forward, including recommendations for civil and criminal legal remedies to curb residential school denialism.

Key Recommendations from the Special Interlocutor’s Report:

• Track disinformation: The federal government should actively monitor and track the spread of residential school disinformation and misinformation.
• Regulate Tech: Implement regulations for tech companies to remove denialist content on their platforms and prevent the spread of harmful narratives.
• Support Communities: Provide dedicated support to Indigenous communities targeted by online hate and harmful content.
• Amend the Criminal Code: Add provisions to the Criminal Code making it an offense to promote hatred against Indigenous Peoples through denial, downplaying, or justification of the residential school system.

As of now, the Liberal government has yet to announce concrete steps to implement these crucial recommendations.

Public Support, But Limited Action:

Despite public support for addressing residential school denialism, progress has been slow. While Justin Trudeau accepted the TRC’s final report a decade ago, only a fraction of the 94 Calls to Action have been completed.

NDP MP Leah Gazan introduced a bill to recognize residential school denialism as a form of inciting hate in the Criminal Code, but the bill ultimately failed to pass.

• The bill aimed to add residential school denialism to the section of the Criminal Code that already recognizes Holocaust denialism as a form of inciting hate.
• While the Crown-Indigenous relations minister publicly supported the legislation, the Liberal government did not adopt or pass it.

A Pattern of Inconsistent Action:

The government’s actions regarding funding for searches of missing children and unmarked burials have also been inconsistent, raising concerns about their commitment to reconciliation.

• After initially placing a cap on funding for searches, the government reversed its decision following public backlash.
• However, the Survivors’ Secretariat was later denied funding from the government to find missing children and unmarked burials.

The Spread of Denialism: A Look at Key Players

The growth of residential school denialism can be attributed to various factors, including the dissemination of misinformation by certain individuals and groups.

• “Grave Error: How the Media Misled Us (and the Truth about Residential Schools)”: This book, co-edited by individuals with a history of downplaying Indigenous issues, has become a focal point for residential school denialism.
• Online Platforms: Outlets like Western Standard, Quillette, and True North continue to publish articles that downplay and minimize the history of residential schools, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
• Political Figures: Various political figures have also engaged in forms of denialism, either through direct statements or by associating with individuals who promote denialist narratives.

Why is Denialism Thriving?

The persistence and spread of residential school denialism in Canada can be attributed to several underlying factors:

• Canadian Identity: University of Victoria professor Matt James argues that a denialism is baked into Canadian identity because the starting point of Canadian identity for many is that of “a benevolent multicultural paradise of peacekeepers.”
• Lack of Urgency: Inertia and lack of urgency from successive governments on addressing the history of residential schools and denialism have left room for the distortion of history.
• Political Gain: Mainstream sowing of doubt about the harms of residential schools and colonial policies has become increasingly common in Canadian politics.

What Can Be Done?

Combating residential school denialism requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Government Action: The federal government must prioritize the implementation of the special interlocutor’s recommendations, including measures to track disinformation, regulate tech companies, and amend the Criminal Code.
• Education and Awareness: It is crucial to educate Canadians about the history and legacy of residential schools, as well as the harmful impacts of denialism.
• Support for Survivors: Providing support and resources to survivors and their families is essential to healing and reconciliation.
• Preserving Records: Robust outreach and engagement are needed to ensure the preservation and protection of records related to residential schools.
• Promoting Truth: Truth and reconciliation are intertwined. Advancing one requires advancing the other.

The Path Forward

Leah Gazan plans to reintroduce her bill to criminalize residential school denialism. She will emphasize that denilism harms and dehumanizes survivors. Ry Moran urges Canadians to consider that such denialism presents dangers to Canada’s rule of law and the pursuit of justice.

Moving Forward: Your Role

As Canadians, we all have a responsibility to confront residential school denialism and work towards a more just and equitable future. It requires courage, empathy, and a commitment to truth.

Here are some actionable steps you can take:

• Educate yourself: Learn about the history of residential schools and the ongoing impacts on Indigenous communities. The NCTR is a great place to start.
• Challenge denialist narratives: Speak out against misinformation and denialist rhetoric when you encounter it.
• Support Indigenous voices: Amplify the voices of Indigenous survivors and advocates.
• Advocate for change: Contact your elected officials and urge them to take action to address residential school denialism.
• Be an ally: Stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities in their fight for justice and reconciliation.

Call to Action:

• Contact your MP: Urge them to support legislation that addresses residential school denialism and implements the recommendations of the special interlocutor’s report.
• Donate to Indigenous organizations: Support organizations that are working to support survivors, preserve the history of residential schools, and promote reconciliation.
• Spread awareness: Share this information with your friends, family, and community.

Together, we can create a society where the truth is acknowledged, the pain is healed, and justice prevails.

This is not just about remembering the past; it’s about shaping a better future, one built on truth, respect, and reconciliation.