Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
The vast majority of Native children went to residential schools voluntarily. The adoptions were voluntary too. The government obviously didn't realize the Catholic Church was riddled with abuse. Remember, at the same time this was happening most of the children in Quebec, Ireland, etc. were being taught by Catholic priests and nuns. Authorities were treating Native kids the same way poor, Catholic kids in white countries were treated.
But I'll ask the question again: What would you have done?
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Well it's a bit of a broad question because you have to consider the relationship and attitudes the government held towards indigenous people at the time. When you basically regard a group of people as racially inferior savages and give them less rights than the white majority, while simultaneously treating them as a burden/wards of the State, it kind of limits your options. You could maybe start by maybe respecting treaties, treating them as equals, and giving them some level of agency and self-determination before resorting to stealing children.