This topic may invoke past trauma. Help is available for those affected by the residential school system through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program, as well as 24-hour emotional and crisis referral services from the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line by calling 1-866-925-4419.
Today is the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which also falls on Orange Shirt Day. This day is meant to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, their families and communities, and to continue the process of reconciliation in part by ensuring public commemoration of their history and the lasting impact of residential schools.
How do we honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and beyond?
As we move forward towards meaningful reconciliation, it is important to educate and remind ourselves about Canada’s settler-colonial history, residential schools, and their continued burden on Indigenous peoples in Canada.
There are many places to continue our learning, including resources and Indigenous-led events held this week and beyond:
- Websites:
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations. It holds the 94 calls to action and commission reports, and features events, research and resources.
- Indigenous Learning Series, which provides access to resources, courses, workshops and events on the history, heritage, cultures, rights and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, as well as on their varied and long-standing relationships with the Crown.
- Reconciliation: A Starting Point, a mobile reference app you can use to learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives. Users will learn why reconciliation matters and what public servants need to know and do to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
- Orange Shirt Day, the official website of Orange Shirt Day, which references the story of Phyllis Webstad, survivor of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School and Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society. Find resources, T-shirts and events here.
- Talking to Kids About Residential Schools by Monique Gray Smith
- Indigenous Ally Toolkit outlines what it means to be an ally to Indigenous communities
- Reconciliation Canada’s Community Action Toolkits provide some guidelines and ideas on how to start the reconciliation conversation.
- Books for adults:
- Strong Nations’s Residential School/Project of the Heart Adult Collection
- CBC Books’s 108 Indigenous writers to check out
- CBC Books’ 15 memoirs by Indigenous writers you need to read
- Books for teens:
- Beyond the Orange Shirt Story by Phyllis Webstad
- Strong Nations’s Residential School/Project of the Heart Teens Collection
- Books for kids:
- Strong Nations’s Residential School/Project of Heart Kids Collection
- CBC Indigenous’s 10 books about residential schools to read with your kids
- CBC Parents’s 17 beautiful Indigenous comic books and video games for kids
- Today’s Parent’s 11 books to teach kids about residential schools
Support by volunteering with or donating to an Indigneous-led non-profit organization, such as these.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Ndinawe
- MICEC
- Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre
- Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.
- EAGLE Urban Transition Centre
- Indian Metis Friendship Centre
- Moon Time Sisters
- IndigeSTEAM
- Reconciliation Canada
- True North Aid
- 11 Indigenous Organizations to Support (Via Elle Canada)
- Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
- Indspire
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
- Legacy of Hope Foundation
- Canadian Roots Exchange
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- First Nations Child & Family Caring Society
- Habitat for Humanity’s Indigenous Housing Partnership
