How did these schools affect Mi'kmaw culture?
The mi'lmaw went to these schools and were seperated from their family at a young age. They didn't have a chance to learn their culture as they got older, and their entire childhood where they should have learnt mostly everything was spent learning how the Canadians lived. Values such as looking people in the eye (which is encouraged in Canadian culture) is deeply frowned upon in Mi'kmaw culture. (Knockwood, 1992). They were beaten, yelled at, and abused for much of their childhood. The damage that 100+ years can do on a culture is astounding. 150 000 of the First Nations were sent to these schools, and most of them came out scarred and with none of their previous knowledge. They left without knowing anything they entered with. They left without knowing their language, their culture, their legends, and most importantly, their morals. The schools hardened the numerous generations of people who attended these schools, and they came out feeling ashamed of their parents lifestyles. They felt ashamed they were Mi'kmaw, and that's what they schools really took from them. They took their confidence, their happiness, and their comfort in knowing who they are.