CANADA
CBC News

BY DENNIS GRUENDING | MAY 21, 2015

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) will hold its closing events in Ottawa between May 31 and June 3, 2015. The TRC was established in 2008 as a part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement in order to inform Canadians about the history and legacy of such schools. For more than 130 years, the institutions were operated by the government and by Canadian churches on the government’s behalf. A second portion of the TRC mandate is to inspire a process leading toward reconciliation within Aboriginal families, and between Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal communities, churches, governments — and Canadians in general.

Here are some facts about residential schools that shouldn’t be forgotten:

• In 1879, politician Nicholas Flood Davin visited the U.S. to observe residential schools and recommended them for Canada.

• In 1883, Canadian government minister…