A new study indicated that Canadians are more aware of the harm caused by residential schools, but more work is needed to educate the public about the lasting impacts of these institutions.

Researchers from the University of Manitoba, the University of Victoria, and Toronto Metropolitan University, in collaboration with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg, measured the progress made by Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in 2022 on their shared journey toward reconciliation.

The research team conducted interviews with 3,174 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across 6 regions of the country, using an online survey.

They found that 90% of non-Indigenous participants and 94% of Indigenous participants had heard of residential schools, up from 65% and 87% respectively in 2021.

The researchers said this progress is likely attributed to media coverage of unmarked burial sites around many former residential schools, but also to Pope Francis's visit to Canada last year, during which he apologized for the harm caused by these federally run institutions managed by religious communities.

While the report found slight increases in many other important measures of reconciliation, some areas did not show positive trends, including non-Indigenous engagement with Indigenous communities.