<P> The system had its origins in laws enacted before Confederation , but was primarily active from the passage of the Indian Act in 1876 . An amendment to the Indian Act in 1884 made attendance at day schools , industrial schools , or residential schools compulsory for First Nations children . Due to the remote nature of many communities , school locations meant that for some families residential schools were the only way to comply . The schools were intentionally located at substantial distances from Indigenous communities to minimize contact between families and their children . Indian Commissioner Hayter Reed argued for schools at greater distances to reduce family visits , which he thought counteracted efforts to civilize Indigenous children . Parental visits were further restricted by the use of a pass system designed to confine Indigenous peoples to reserves . The last federally operated residential school closed in 1996 . </P>
<P> The system had its origins in laws enacted before Confederation , but was primarily active from the passage of the Indian Act in 1876 . An amendment to the Indian Act in 1884 made attendance at day schools , industrial schools , or residential schools compulsory for First Nations children . Due to the remote nature of many communities , school locations meant that for some families residential schools were the only way to comply . The schools were intentionally located at substantial distances from Indigenous communities to minimize contact between families and their children . Indian Commissioner Hayter Reed argued for schools at greater distances to reduce family visits , which he thought counteracted efforts to civilize Indigenous children . Parental visits were further restricted by the use of a pass system designed to confine Indigenous peoples to reserves . The last federally operated residential school closed in 1996 . </P>
when did residential schools start and end in canada
when did residential schools start and end in canada
1876 1996
1876 1996