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Indian Residential School Learning Resources

Below is a list of resources available for those seeking to strengthen their understanding of Indian Residential Schools in Canada. These materials are intended for individuals beginning their learning journey and centre the voices of Survivors, community members, and subject matter experts.

Please engage with these resources with care, as some may include content that is triggering or distressing, particularly for those with lived experience.

If you have suggestions for resources to include, please email indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca.

 

Wellness Supports

You are not alone. Survivors and Family members of Survivors may receive immediate emotional support by contacting the 24-hour National Indian Residential School Crisis Line toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

Indigenous people may receive immediate emotional support by contacting the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (National)
  • Indian Residential School Survivor Society (National)
  • Legacy of Hope (National)
  • Atlohsa Family Healing Services (London)
  • N’Amerind Friendship Centre (London)
  • Save the Barn (Chippewas of the Thames)
  • Woodland Cultural Centre (Brantford)
  • Murray, K. (2024). Sites of Truth, Sites of Conscience: Unmarked burials and mass graves of missing and disappeared Indigenous children in Canada. Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burials Sites Associated with Indian Residential Schools.
  • Murray, K. (2023). Sacred Responsibility: Searching for the missing children and unmarked burials. Interim Report. Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burials Sites Associated with Indian Residential Schools.
    • Summary available (7 pages).
  • Hamilton, S. (2021). Where are the children buried. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (2015). Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future. Summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission. (2015). The Survivors Speak: A report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Winnipeg: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. (2015). Truth and reconciliation commission of Canada: Calls to action. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

 

Book Lists

  • Sugarcane (2024)
  • Bones of Crows (2022)
  • Indian Horse (2017)
  • We Were Children (2012)
  • A Knock on the Door: The essential history of residential schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (8 hours)
  • A National Crime: The Canadian government and the residential school system, 1879 to 1986 by John S. Milloy (17 hours)
  • Call Me Indian: From the trauma of residential school to becoming the NHL’s first treaty Indigenous player by Fred Saskamoose (10 hours)
  • The Knowing by Tanya Talaga (15 hours)
  • They Called Me Number One: Secrets and survival at an Indian residential school by Bev Sellar (7 hours)
  • Kuper Island | CBC
  • Stolen Season 2: Surviving St. Michael’s | CBC
  • Residential Schools | Historica Canada