passion2action is horrified to learn about the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Residential School at Cowessess First Nation. We mourn for the children, culture, and community that were lost in the residential school system and our thoughts are with the survivors, families, and communities continuing to suffer from its traumas.
As a youth empowerment organization working on Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan, this tragic discovery hits particularly close to home and underscores the importance of learning the truth and advancing reconciliation both as individuals and as an organization.
At passion2action, we feel it is our responsibility to continue to build relationships with Indigenous Nations with a willingness to learn and in the spirit of respectful collaboration. We are committed to standing alongside Indigenous Nations to share truths, fight injustice, and advance reconciliation on the land and in the community.
If you need someone to talk to, the following supports are available:
Indian Residential School Survivors and Family Hotline: 1-866-925-4419
Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266
If you are looking to educate yourself about the residential school system in Canada, we recommend the following resources to start your learning journey:
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous Canada – University of Alberta Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples