A reminder that the Indian Residential School Survivors Society has a 24 hour Crisis Line available: 1-866-925-4419. The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary’s Elder line is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm for individuals in need of support: 403-801-7482.
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In response to the ongoing confirmations of unmarked graves at former Indian Residential School sites we’d like to make some requests of settlers:
-Please familiarize, or re-familiarize, yourselves with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action with the goal of implementing these individually and organizationally. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation also has all the reports that came out of the commission () and is a good resource for people wanting to learn more. Volume 4 in particular is a whole 273 page report about missing children and unmarked graves.
-Learn about whose land you’re currently on: https://native-land.ca
-Write to your elected officials to request faster implementation of the TRC calls to action.
-Check-in with your Indigenous colleagues. Give space. And time off work if needed.
-Please don’t ask for or expect emotional labour or education from those directly affected by this news.
-Be mindful of what you share online and why you’re sharing it. Include content or trigger warnings.
-Consider donating to Indigenous-led initiatives or organizations.
CommunityWise stands in solidarity with the Indigenous members of our community – in particular, our Indigenous-led Member groups and our Indigenous staff, board members, contractors, and building users.