Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald commissioned Nicholas Flood Davin to explore the industrial schools for Indigenous children in the US. Davin did so and wrote his 1879 report: Report on Industrial Schools for Indians and Half-Breeds.

Davin’s report speaks favourably of the US Industrial school system noting its success in assimilating Indigenous children into American society. In the report, Davin notes that the US experienced similar concerns as Canada with Indigenous men: “Little can be done with him. He can be taught to do a little at farming, and at stock-raising, and to dress in a more civilized manner, but that is all.” (pg. 2) Davin seems to go on to suggest that the creation of industrial schools allows the government to have greater success at assimilating Indigenous children into the dominant society.

The report strongly supports boarding schools over day schools, noting that in the case of day schools: “the influence of the wigwam was stronger than the influence of the school”  (pg.2).

There is also extensive information on the creation and establishment of an industrial school system in Canada. Davin notes costs associated with the creation and management of the schools and recommends that the government partners with various Christian groups in the running of the schools.

Davin’s report ultimately led to the creation of the residential schools system in Canada.

It is quite remarkable reading this report as I am struck by the author’s feelings of the inferiority of Indigenous peoples, something I am not used to seeing/reading. Also, it is interesting to see a document that was integral in the creation of the residential school system.