Tutorial Videos

We have worked with residential school Survivor Dawn Hill and a Child of Survivors Crystal Gail Fraser to provide tutorial videos to help with the navigation of our collections.

How to Find a Photograph

The TRC collected over 40,000 photos in its effort to document the history and legacy of residential schools. Most of these have been digitized and can be searched.

Watch the video of Crystal Gail Fraser to learn how to find specific photos.

How to Find a Public Event or Statement

The TRC hosted several thousand public events throughout Canada. The events ranged from local hearings conducted in small communities to large national events held at convention centres. During these gatherings, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people came together to discuss and learn about the impact of the residential school system. The TRC hosted various activities at these events including sharing expressions of reconciliation, statement gathering, and offering gifts.

Watch the video of Survivor Dawn Hill to learn how to find public events or statements.

Find Residential School Attendance Records

The primary records that document the attendance of students at residential school are the quarterly returns. There are a number of ways to find these types of records in the archives.

Watch the video of Crystal Gail Fraser in locating these records based on school.

How to Find the Records of Different Schools

The TRC acquired a large volume of records from government and religious archives that document the history of the residential school experience. The school records provide insight on how residential schools operated. The NCTR is working to bring out the children’s voice in these daily administrative records of school supplies, discipline, and instruction.

Watch the video of Survivor Dawn Hill to find the records.