09/30/2021
Please read, learn and remember.
Once you know the truth you cannot unknow the truth.
It compels all of us to be part of the work that needs to be done to heal and reconcile. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is commemorating the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which has been established to honour Canada's residential school survivors, and those who never came home, as well as their families and communities, as we work together to support healing and build understanding. The holiday publicly commemorates the history and ongoing legacy of the schools. The residential school system, Indian Day School system and many other institutions like them represent a dark period in Canadian history, which bares a responsibility of present and future generations acknowledgement, through education and open dialogue. In recent years, Sept. 30th has been recognized in Canada as Orange Shirt Day, taking place at the time of year when, in the past, government agents would take Indigenous children from their families and send them to residential schools, where they were far removed from the language, culture and beliefs of their homes. In support of the recognition of this dark period in Canadian history and its lasting cumulative multigenerational effects on Indigenous peoples, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is committed to acknowledging and advocating for the empowerment of these stories through empathy, respect and understanding. Empowering Survivors. Honouring Souls lost. Building Healing through Understanding, Respect and Empathy.
For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools which were often located far from their homes. More than 150,000 children attended these schools... many never returned. The damages inflicted by Residential Schools continue to this day. If you are not aware of the history and damage caused by this system, we encourage you to learn more. Here are some educational resources:
https://nctr.ca/.../teaching.../residential-school-history/
https://nctr.ca/education/every-child-matters/
If you are a survivor of the residential school system, we stand with you and honour you. We cannot imagine the pain that you may be feeling at this time. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers a Crisis Line support service for survivors of the residential school system. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing pain or distress as a result of your residential school experience, please call 1-866-925-4419