“Was It Really That Bad?”: Residential School Denialism and the Politics of Disbelief

What happens when political candidates question the truth about Canada’s residential school system? In this episode, Chris Bolster confronts the rise of residential school denialism—fueled by figures like Conservative candidate Aaron Gunn—and explores what’s at stake when settlers reject the word “genocide.”

From soft denial to full-on revisionism, this episode unpacks how historical truth is being distorted to protect national myths, settler comfort, and political power. Featuring survivor voices and a call to moral clarity, this episode is a powerful challenge to the idea that Canada’s colonial past is just a matter of interpretation.

Content warning: This episode discusses residential school trauma, denialism, and genocide. Listener discretion is advised.

Resources for Further Learning:

• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Final Report

• Sean Carleton – Lessons in Legitimacy

• Cindy Blackstock – First Nations Child and Family Caring Society

• Orange Shirt Society – orangeshirtday.org