Canada’s Dark Secret (2017)

Canada’s Dark Secret delves into a haunting chapter of Canadian history that spans well over a century. At the heart of this dark narrative lies the forcible removal of indigenous children from their families and communities, as they were sent to boarding schools to assimilate them into Canadian culture. These residential schools, established by the Canadian government and administered by churches, sought to indoctrinate Aboriginal children into the Euro-Canadian and Christian way of life.

The documentary sheds light on the harsh reality faced by these children. Over 6,000 students lost their lives due to the brutal conditions they endured. The last residential school in Canada closed its doors in 1996, but the horrifying stories of severed family ties, cultural erasure, and abuse continue to reverberate.

Bud Whiteye, a survivor of the Mohawk Institute Residential School, recounts his experience. He vividly remembers being “picked up” along with four other children as they walked along a public road to visit his grandmother. The assimilation process was insidious—it wasn’t just about classroom lectures but rather a systemic ingraining of English language, white man’s clothing, and attendance at white man’s schools and churches.

Through powerful narratives and historical context, Canada’s Dark Secret confronts the painful legacy of residential schools, exposing the trauma inflicted upon generations of indigenous families. The documentary serves as a crucial reminder of the resilience and strength of those who survived, as well as a call to reckon with the past and work toward healing and reconciliation.