Residential Schools: The Past that Still Affects the Future (Excerpt)
…”The treatment of the Indigenous community by European settlers has caused trauma for many years. Intergenerational trauma is the process of pain and suffering being passed down through generations of struggling families and communities. Residential Schools have affected the Indigenous community for generations. ‘The schools and Canada’s overall treatment of its Indigenous peoples have seriously affected Indigenous pride and self-respect, and have caused individuals and communities to lose their capacity to cope with the daily tasks of living’ (Bombay, 2009). The suppression that Residential Schools had on the Indigenous community has caused a decrease of the mental state. Language, tradition and customs have been lost in time due to European arrogance. Residential Schools brought abuse, neglect and hardship upon the Indigenous community. These events have led to the increase in mental illnesses such as, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse and suicide. (Bombay, 2009). These sufferings are passed from generation to generation. These issues along with many more are why Residential Schools still have an affect the Indigenous community through intergenerational trauma.”…