Uncovering family secrets, especially those dating back over sixty years, can be a challenging endeavor. In September 2013, Ontario settled a class-action lawsuit for $35 million with former residents of Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia, previously known as the Ontario Hospital School, who had endured severe harm and abuse. Opening its doors in 1876, Huronia was among the earliest facilities in North America for individuals with developmental disabilities. The lawsuit focused on survivors from 1945 to 2009, shedding light on long-standing issues of abuse, neglect, and deprivation of basic rights and care at the institution.
The survivors, who were mostly sent to Huronia as children, faced a grim reality of maltreatment, lack of education, and disconnection from families. The facility targeted those with intellectual disabilities or those mistakenly perceived as such, often from impoverished backgrounds or broken homes, placed there by child welfare agencies.
‘I was terrified’: Heartbreaking interviews with survivors expose ugly, hidden truths about a government-funded system of cruelty and neglect. Watch Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children on CBC Gem.
Hidden Family History
The recent lawsuit’s revelation about Huronia stirred personal emotions when Adele, my half-sister, mentioned that Alfie, my father’s son from a previous marriage whom I never met, had been a resident there. This news brought to light a long-buried family secret. Alfie was admitted to Huronia in the 1950s and passed away there in 1973. Learning that another brother, Louis, had also been sent there, diagnosed as severely disabled, highlighted the challenges faced by families in the absence of adequate support systems.
The prevailing societal norms of the time, coupled with limited assistance for families with special needs children, led to the institutionalization of individuals like Louis and Alfie. My research for the documentary Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children uncovered the truth about Louis’s untimely death at Huronia in 1957, a fact unknown to my siblings and me until then.
The quest to find Louis’s final resting place became a driving force behind the creation of Unloved. This journey shed light on the historical mistreatment of intellectually disabled individuals, denying them even the basic dignities in life and death.
Insights into Residential Care in Canada
The narrative of Huronia and similar institutions reflects a broader societal issue of neglecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable populations. The history of dehumanizing practices in residential facilities, as seen in the case of Huronia, underscores the need for systemic change to ensure equitable treatment for all, especially the marginalized communities.
By sharing the stories of survivors and shedding light on the hidden truths of such facilities, Unloved aims to provoke reflection on the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable groups. The documentary serves as a reminder that compassionate care and respect for human rights must be central in all caregiving environments, urging for a shift towards more inclusive and empathetic practices.
I extend my gratitude to my family members for their involvement in Unloved, as their courage in revisiting painful memories has been instrumental in bringing this important narrative to light. The resilience of the survivors, who shared their harrowing experiences, serves as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and