Chanie Wenjack Teacher Resource

Heritage Minutes Teacher's Resource

Chanie Wenjack

Introduction:

The Heritage Minutes collection is a bilingual series of history focused short films, produced by Historica Canada. Each 60-second short film depicts a significant person, event or story in Canadian history. This resource is aligned with Canadian curricula and has been produced for use in middle and high school classrooms. The Heritage Minute: Chanie Wenjack and the activity below are meant to encourage students to think thoughtfully and critically about the history of the country they inhabit and its impact on their lives today. Chanie Wenjack’s story is emotional and could trigger a strong response, especially among youth who are affected by intergenerational trauma. Set ground rules for respectful discussions and be sensitive to individuals to ensure the classroom remains a safe environment for all learners.

Click the link to watch the Heritage Minute: Chanie Wenjack

Residental School in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta (courtesy Library and Archives Canada / PA-102543)

Chanie Wenjack:

Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, an Anishinaabe boy from Ontario, was sent to Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School at the age of nine with three of his sisters. On October 16, 1966, Wenjack and two of his friends escaped from the residential school during their afternoon time on the playground. Wenjack followed his two friends to the cabin of their uncle and then set out alone to find his father. He died in the early morning of October 23, from hunger and exposure to the harsh weather. His death sparked national attention and the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools. Wenjack’s story, as well as the many similarly tragic stories of residential school students, led to eventual legislative reforms and class action lawsuits, including the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Online resources: Indigenous Perspectives Guide Residential Schools Guide Residential Schools Article Truth and Reconciliation Commission Article Indigenous Peoples Quiz

Heritage Minutes Teacher's Resource Chanie Wenjack

Activity:

As a class, watch the Heritage Minute on Chanie Wenjack, and read the Chanie Wenjack article on The Canadian Encyclopedia . Respond to the following questions together in groups:

1. Why do you think Charlie chose to run away from residential school? What does this say about the conditions students faced in the school?

2. The quote in the Minute, “Kill the Indian in the child,” was frequently used to describe the aim of the residential schools. What does this tell you about the intentions of the policies that led to the formation of the residential school system in Canada? Do you think the quote accurately reflects the intentions of the residential schools? 3. What kind of impression of the residential schools does this Minute leave? Compare this to what you have learned about residential schools from other sources. Why is it important to explore different perspectives and use multiple sources? 4. How do you think this story might be different if it were told from the perspective of the school’s principal or a teacher? What does this teach you about historical perspective and how we remember the past? 5. According to his family, Chanie’s name was changed to “Charlie” by the people who ran the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School. What does this tell you about cultural repression and assimilation? How would this contribute to feelings of disconnection and isolation? What do you think were the goals and the impacts of name changing?

Metlakatla Indian Residential School Students (courtesy William James Topley / Library and Archives Canada / C-015037)

Family photo of Chanie Wenjack (courtesy Pearl Achneepineskum)

Map of residential schools in Canada (courtesy of The Canadian Encyclopedia)