Two Manitoba universities are competing to host a new national research centre for residential schools being opened by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
The research centre will archive events that took place on government-funded, church-run residential schools where many First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were physically, emotionally and sexually abused, as well as barred from using native languages and cultural practices.
The schools operated across Canada from the mid-1840s through the 20th century, with the last one closing in 1996.
Between 1850 and 1948, thousands of aboriginal children were forced to leave their homes to attend the boarding schools, according to the TRC website.
“The new centre is meant to be a place where Canadians can gather and learn about what happened at these schools,” said James Bardach, director of communications of the TRC.
The University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg have both lobbied hard to host the research centre.
“There are many survivors here already. The location has to be accessible to them,” said Karen Busby, a law professor at the U of M.
The U of W recently landed a $800,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to create a master’s degree program in indigenous peoples and sustainable development practices.
“We consider Canada’s Aboriginal People a prime objective. We have a significant aboriginal population and several programs that appeal to them,” said Dan Hurly, U of W associate vice-president.
The TRC is currently accepting applicants to gather statements in Yellowknife and surrounding areas to document the stories of those who were affected by the residential schools, according to their website.
“As part of our five-year mandate, we want to build the largest collection of oral history about what took place [in residential schools],” Bradach said.
The TRC was established in 2007 and the research centre is part of its published mandate. Its mandate is to educate Canadians about what happened during the 150 year history of the residential school system and begin a reconciliation process among aboriginals to resolve the negative impact these schools have had on their relationships.
Highlighting the new Canadian Museum of Human Rights being built in Winnipeg, Busby said the two institutions can support one another.
“Bringing the research centre to Manitoba will allow aboriginals to have a full understanding of what took place,” she said.
“Aboriginals are very important for Manitoba as a whole, they are our fastest growing population. We are strategically located and hopefully we will be picked by this prestigious organization,” Hurly said.
Burdach said the early competition between the two schools is a positive sign.
“We are looking for the best choice to form a partnership with the institution or organization that will house the future national research centre,” he said.