What was the main goal of the residential school system?

• A. To assimilate Indigenous children into European culture
• B. To preserve Indigenous languages
• C. To promote independence of Indigenous nations
• D. To expand Indigenous art education

Answer: (A)

Assimilation was the goal of the residential school system. Governments and churches believed the way to “civilize” Indigenous peoples was to remove children from their families and communities and educate them in a Western, Christian environment. The aim was to teach English or French, Christian beliefs, and European cultural norms while suppressing Indigenous languages, ceremonies, and ways of life. This is why the option describing assimilation best fits the historical purpose of these schools. The other aims—preserving Indigenous languages, promoting Indigenous nation independence, or expanding Indigenous art education—were not the objective and, in fact, ran counter to the system’s intent. Understanding this helps explain the long-term harm the policy caused, including language loss and lasting trauma in Indigenous communities.