Remembering the 215 Children from the Kamloops Residential School
Trigger Warning: This discusses the news out of Kamloops last week and may include details that are distressing.
Supports and Services for those Impacted
The National Residential School Crisis Line
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line:
1-866-925-4419.
The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS)
The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) has a wealth of experience delivering wellness and healing services to Indian Residential School Survivors and intergenerational Survivors throughout B.C.
IRSSS provides essential services to Residential School Survivors, their families, and to those dealing with intergenerational traumas. These impacts affect every family and every community across B.C. and Canada.
The news of discovering the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Indian Residential School by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation was very traumatic and impacted many across the country. Our collective hearts are with the families and communities directly impacted by this living trauma and we grieve for the generations of children that were taken and would never return to their homes. For our staff, the people we serve and the communities we partner with, this discovery is shocking but unfortunately another heartbreaking piece of our dark society’s fabric as heard from many Indigenous people who have bravely shared their survival stories and spoken about the trauma and loss experienced at residential schools. Across Canada and here in Calgary the impacts of the colonial past and present are still very much a reality.
At Trellis we recognize a number of statistical facts that reflect the enormity of the impact of colonization and how it effects members of our community who are Indigenous, both generally and within our programs:
In Calgary, Indigenous People make up 3% of the population and yet 20% of the homeless population identifies as Indigenous.
79% of the residents in our Maple Program identify as Indigenous.
65% of the families served by Sustainable Families are Indigenous.
In Alberta 10% of the child population is Indigenous and yet they make up 69% of children and youth in care.
60% of students who identify as Indigenous don’t graduate high school.
Almost every program we offer has an over representation of Indigenous people because of our history of colonization, policies and systems that have been imposed on Indigenous communities. Our purpose in acknowledging this publicly is to increase our accountability to reconciliation and direct our audience to resources and actions that are guided by Indigenous peoples and advocates.
We know this as long-term holistic work however there are many places that anyone can start, right now to take action towards reconciliation and healing. You can start today by amplifying the voices of Indigenous people and communities.
Ongoing Education
If you are shocked or surprised by the discovery of these children, or perhaps had not heard of it yet, we encourage you to join us on the journey to learn more about the historical and current oppression of Indigenous peoples.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action address the ongoing impact of residential schools on survivors and their families. They provide a path for government and Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to create a joint vision of reconciliation.
University of Alberta Course: Indigenous Canada
Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.
The Caring Society
The Caring Society stands with First Nations children, youth and families so they have equitable opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are.
They aim to identify quality resources to individuals everywhere. Linked below are a list of resources for youth, students, educators and families to incorporate into their studies and everyday life.
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day takes place each year on September 30th and opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. The events were designed to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation.
Organizations Doing Great Work in Our Community
The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary
Works to remove barriers and empower their urban community through cultural reconnection, programs, services and access to resources that address the social and economic realities of our people. They provide Indigenous cultural connection through programs and services for the urban population.
Miskanawah
Guided by Indigenous teachings, Miskanawah offers evidence-informed, supportive services to people in the Calgary area as they strengthen their circles of self, family, community and culture. As their name implies, their approach guides individuals and families in building pathways to and within the community, strengthening their natural supports, and engaging in healthier ways of living.
The Iiyika/kimaat Program (Trellis Society)
The word Iiyika’kimaat, which means “to try hard” in Blackfoot, was gifted to the agency after consultation with elders. The Iiyika’kimaat program provides Indigenous youth, aged 12-21 years, an opportunity to reach their full potential through culturally-relevant and leadership-specific components and activities.
There are many other supports and resources available in the community and this is just the beginning.
At Trellis our commitment to reconciliation is guided by Indigenous Staff and a Knowledge Keeper’s Council who hold the organization accountable and push us all to dig deeper into the impact of our actions and programs. We invite our donors, funders and other community partners to continue their own work of reconciliation by reflecting on their practices, beliefs and structures and commit to doing the immediate and long-term work that reconciliation demands.
To those grieving, our staff, the people we serve and the communities we are a part of we join you in grief for the 215 children found and the ones not yet returned home. May we honour them with a renewed commitment to reconciliation backed up by action and change.