Most of the people involved in the schools were well motivated by the standards of their day, even though they were participants in an abusive system. Some, according to the recollections of former students, were saintly even in that oppressive system. Some few were predators who abused the children physically or sexually. Most of the former students of the schools recall their experiences with pain and anger. Some few recall their experiences fondly.
Many Aboriginal persons view with contempt the church which tried to eradicate their culture.
The past 30 years have seen improvements in the status of indigenous Anglicans within the church. An Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples oversees indigenous ministries and justice work. A healing fund supports programs in indigenous communities. In 1993 our Primate, Archbishop Michael Peers, made a formal apology on behalf of the whole church for the harm done by the residential schools system. In 1994, a group of indigenous Anglicans articulated their vision of a new Covenant, a vision of unity, community and self-determination within the church.