Staffing deficiencies go far to explain, though they can never excuse, much of the mistreatment that residential school children suffered. As noted, insufficient funding, recruitment problems, and lack of inspection often ensured that the people who taught and supervised the children were not adequately prepared for their assignments or held to them consistently.

       A fundamental problem was poorly prepared or untrained staff. It was not until the late 1950s and 1960s that Indian Affairs and the missionary organisations began to pay serious attention to the selection and training of administrators, teachers, and childcare workers.

      A subtle contributing factor in the problems with staff was an attitude that pervaded the ranks of missionary volunteers throughout the existence of the schools: they often developed a quasi-martyr perception of themselves. This mood said, in essence, that the staff deserved whatever little privileges they enjoyed -- such as separate dining facilities and better food -- because they were giving so much to 'the work.' The negative side of this outlook was that small slips in behaviour by staff members were explained and might be excused by the fact that their work was so hard, their hours so long, and their contribution so great. From this self-perception as martyr it was not far to sinister attitudes of excusing more destructive behaviour, including mistreatment and even abuse. Sometimes in the minds and hearts of those who saw themselves as giving much there was a tendency to forgive their own negative conduct.