many settler children who died from starvation and disease

Yes. Judging past ages with today's standards is foolish. Life was brutal in the 1800s. Corporal punishment was considered necessary in schools. Death and hunger were present daily. Even later, thousands of whites starved during the great depression. I'll bet the dirty thirty was the worst time to be in a RS because if all kids are hungry, why would RS students be the exception?

outrage over these events is largely manufactured by media for political purposes.

Again, yes. Why does do people listen to this nonsense? It only causes anger and racial hatred. Why does the media and left want that? So they can 'save' us when things get really bad? The USA had a much bigger RS system, but hardly a peep over there.