Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone grieving the discovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children in the unmarked mass grave at the site of the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia, in particular to the living survivors of residential schools, their families and the community from whom they were taken. We want to honour the lives and spirits of these children.
This discovery is a stark reminder of all of the thousands of children stolen from their families as part of the genocidal violence perpetrated by the Canadian Residential School system. North Eastern Ontario Family and Children’s Services (NEOFACS) acknowledges the historic and ongoing role of the child welfare system in perpetuating a legacy of racism through the removal of Indigenous children from their families and communities. We must do better and continue to support the restoration of jurisdiction to First Nations communities to care for their own children.
From coast to coast to coast, we acknowledge the ancestral and unceded territory of all the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples that call this nation home. NEOFACS is located on the Treaty Lands of the James Bay Treaty 9 and the Robinson-Huron Treaty 61 and the Traditional Territory of the Ojibway, Cree, Algonquin, and Métis Peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on this territory.
We also acknowledge that, for those who are settlers, we have benefitted from this land and Canada’s colonial history. We commit to our end of the treaties by respecting the land, centering Indigenous self-determination, and working with Indigenous communities to repair the harm that has been done when settlers have not upheld their treaty agreements – especially in regards to the child welfare system and our role in it.
Every child matters. Each one is precious and irreplaceable. We send our deepest sympathies and our strength to the Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation, as well as to all Indigenous communities across Canada.
Today marks the beginning of National Indigenous History Month, an opportunity to honour the heritage, contributions and cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada and is an important tribute to the rich heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. This year, National Indigenous History Month is dedicated to the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of residential schools.
Continue the learning journey to help mark this important month and National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 by exploring more about the cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Learn more about National Indigenous History Month.
As this news may trigger unpleasant feelings or memories of past trauma, please be aware that supports are available, including the Residential School Crisis Line available 24/7 at 1-866-925-4419 and Hope for Wellness Hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online at http://www.hopeforwellness.ca.