CAYENNE, French Guiana — The documentary “Catholic Boarding Schools of French Guiana: The Wound” recently received the prestigious Student Jury Medal at the World Revolutionaries film festival. The film, produced by France TV, delves into the troubling history of the “Homes Indiens,” a system of Catholic boarding schools that operated from 1930 until 2023.
The documentary highlights the harrowing experiences of approximately 2,000 children, primarily from indigenous Amerindian backgrounds, who were forcibly removed from their families. These children were placed in institutions with the aim of assimilating them into French culture, denying them their linguistic and cultural roots.
According to the film, the children were immersed solely in French language and history, with any attempts to speak their native languages met with harsh consequences. This policy was part of a troubling agreement between the French government and the Catholic Church, which enabled the state to fund these institutions while cloaked in the guise of social welfare.
A nun featured in the documentary, identified as Anne-Marie, recalls receiving explicit directives to instruct children exclusively in French. In a bid to justify financial support for the program—an initiative intended for French citizens—the government falsely registered many indigenous children as orphans, despite the fact that their families were still alive.
The long-term impacts of this assimilation process are profound. Survivors share their stories of deep emotional scars and cultural severance. One of the few remaining survivors, 94-year-old Agnes, recounts being uprooted from her family at the age of 11 following her mother’s death, a trauma that continues to afflict her. Another survivor, Kadi, reflects on her disconnection from her native Kalina language, stating, “We used to sing songs, but we didn’t know what we were singing.”
The boarding school system has drawn parallels to similar colonial practices in countries like Canada, Australia, and South Africa, where indigenous identities were systematically suppressed.
In September 2022, journalist Helene Ferrarini published a critical examination of this dark chapter in history, raising public awareness about the colonial violence endured by indigenous peoples in the region. Her work has been instrumental in sparking discussions about these issues.
Indigenous organizations are now advocating for the recognition of the boarding schools as a colonial crime, calling for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission aimed at addressing the enduring trauma experienced by affected communities and fostering healing.
The film also reveals the exploitation of Amerindian labor during the construction of the Kourou spaceport, further illustrating the systemic abuse faced by these communities.
The complete documentary is currently available for viewing on the official France TV website until November 11, 2025, allowing viewers to engage with this vital narrative.
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