Hello <<First Name>>,
This Canada Day will be like no other with the recent disturbing discovery of hundreds of children in unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools near Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, Kamloops, BC, and most recently in Cranbrook, BC. My heart is with all Indigenous people who are hurting from these devastating discoveries. Today will be an opportunity for Canadians from coast to coast to pause and reflect on this dark history and learn the truth of the devastation inflicted on Indigenous people. It is shameful that these government-run boarding schools were put in place to assimilate Indigenous children and try to destroy Indigenous cultures and languages.
We need to learn more about these crimes against humanity and I support my colleague Sol Namakwa’s call for all churches and residential schools to release any records related to residential schools. We also need to support revising Ontario's curriculum to reflect Indigenous perspectives and reverse the government decision in 2018 to cancel the Indigenous Curriculum Writing sessions. We are still waiting for the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and it is an outrage that Indigenous people are still denied safe drinking water and decent living conditions.
We need to work closely with Indigenous communities and listen to what they need and act in a true nation to nation dialogue. Ontario has in its power the ability to act on this and they have chosen empty words over concrete action. We as a society need to treat Indigenous peoples with dignity and respect and make amends for the horrific wrongs of our past.
As always, my office is here to help. Please call at 416-243-7984, or email us at fhassan-co@ndp.on.ca.
Take care, wear your mask, and wash your hands.
Best Regards,
Faisal Hassan
Member of Provincial Parliament
York South—Weston
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Each new discovery of gravesites can re-traumatize victims and survivors of the Residential Schools. If you are in need of support, please contact one of the resources below:
The Residential School Crisis Support Line: 1(844)751-2133
The FN and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1(855) 242-3310
IRS Survivors and Family: 1(800)721-0066
24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1(866)925-4419
Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1(877)209-1266
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A part of the mandate at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is to raise awareness of the history and creation of the residential school system, its ongoing legacy, and how it has shaped the country we live in today. Click HERE to get access to their education resources, and click HERE to access the published reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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The Legacy of Hope Foundation is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for more than 19 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System and subsequent Sixties Scoop on Indigenous Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation. To learn more about their work and how to get involved, visit them at https://legacyofhope.ca/
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CRE builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Canada by facilitating dialogue and strengthening relationships through leadership programs, and other resources, which you can find HERE.
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For Indigenous History Month, CBC's free streaming service, CBC Gem, has a collection of films, documentaries and shows from Indigenous voices across Canada. Learn more about these experiences by visiting their curated list HERE.
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In response to the discovery in Kamloops, Toronto Public Library affirms the need for all Canadians to continue educating ourselves and to hold our governments and institutions accountable for our commitments to Reconciliation. To access the TPL reading list collection on Reconciliation for all ages, click HERE.
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