What was the primary goal of residential schools in Canada?

The primary goal of residential schools in Canada was to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Western culture. These institutions were established in the 19th and 20th centuries, primarily as a means to eradicate Indigenous cultures and languages. The Canadian government, along with various Christian churches, aimed to integrate Indigenous children into Euro-Canadian society by teaching them English, Christianity, and Western values, often through methods that were neglectful and abusive.

This effort to assimilate meant that Indigenous children were frequently removed from their families and communities, which resulted in a loss of cultural identity and heritage. The schools were designed to instill Western norms and practices while suppressing Indigenous traditions and languages.

The other options do not accurately reflect the intentions or outcomes of the residential school system. Promoting Indigenous cultures contradicts the very purpose of these institutions, as they sought to eliminate those cultures. Likewise, while the schools did provide education, it was not education in the sense of fostering a holistic understanding or respect for Indigenous knowledge systems but rather focused heavily on Western-oriented skills and beliefs. Encouraging cultural exchange was not a goal of residential schools; instead, they aimed to replace Indigenous cultures with those of colonial power.