Every Child Matters
July 2021
Mamow Ahyamowen would like to acknowledge all Survivors of the residential school systems, their families, and Indigenous communities. The recent news from the various residential schools, across Canada is heartbreaking. While this discovery may be shocking to some, residential school Survivors and their families have been speaking of this truth for years. The Honourable Murray Sinclair, former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, stated that we should prepare for more discoveries in the months and years ahead.
If you have not already done so, now is the time to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada: Calls to Action because, “…education is what got us here, and education will help to bring us out.”*
“…education is what got us here, and education will help to bring us out.”*
*(quote shared with permission from a Steering Committee member)
The TRC asks that the, “…federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies, including residential schools…”
and
The TRC calls upon the “…federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities….”
The discovery of the children reinforces the importance of our work to address the above calls to action and it highlights the need to continue our work in a good and respectful way. We honour the Survivors of residential schools, those who never made it home, and all their relations.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for Former Residential School Students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419