Aangen's statement about the unconscionable acts committed at Canada's residential school's and our commitment for the future.
We mourn the loss of the children whose remains have been uncovered near and on the grounds of former Canadian residential schools, confirming what many elders have long known. We grieve with the communities directly impacted by this tragic discovery, and we stand in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples working toward truth, justice and reconciliation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimates that between 1870 and 1996 the residential school system separated 150,000 Indigenous children from their families. The children were forced to attend residential school in 1 of 139 government recognized institutions. It is also estimated that 4000-6000 children died while attending residential schools. The effects of these atrocities, the resultant intergenerational trauma, continue into the present moment.
Every day, in our communities and our work, we see the consequences of institutionalized oppression and colonialism of the marginalized communities we serve.
We acknowledge the unconscionable acts committed at residential schools. We will not look away from the country’s past – and will support the difficult work toward meaningful reconciliation.
We stand with Indigenous peoples in their call for:
- A federally-funded investigation into all residential schools in Canada
- The federal government to follow through on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action
- Provide funding for healing services for all who are affected
Beyond mourning and calling for the actions of others we understand that we need to do more. To stand with the Indigenous communities we live and work in, we now have a board member, a director and a manager taking the Indigenous Canada course through the University of Alberta. This enables us to better incorporate the history and contemporary issues of Indigenous peoples in Canada into our every day decisions. To make sure those voices and perspectives are heard throughout our organization.
We encourage all those reading this to look into the course as well. Please visit https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada to learn more.
If you or anyone you know is in need of any support the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line is available by phone at 1 (855) 242-3310.
We invite any suggestions on what we at Aangen as an organization can do to support your communities during these difficult and unprecedented times.