John A. Macdonald (1815-1891) is often celebrated for his role as one of Canada’s “Fathers of Confederation.” What is lesser known, however, is that Macdonald, as prime minister, played a pivotal role in creating Canada’s destructive system of Indian Residential Schools that sought to “kill the Indian in the child.” Foundational to Macdonald’s agenda was the dismantling of Indigenous families through forced separation. Canada’s first prime minister instigated, supported, and defended Canada’s genocidal system of Indian Residential Schools.