National Day for Truth & Reconciliation – Sept 30

Warning — the content of this email may be distressing.
Information regarding mental and emotional support services are provided below:

Where can I go for immediate support?
Your well-being is important to us. If you require immediate mental and emotional support, the following are resources that you can access:
– The BC crisis line run by the KUU-US Crisis Line Society can be reached at 1-800-588-8717, and a 24-hour national crisis line for former students and those affected can be reached at 1-866-925-4419.
– Indian Residential School Survivors Society for crisis support 24/7 1-800-721-0066
– BACI’s employee and family services provider, Telus Health, offers counselling and wellness resources at www.baci.lifeworks.com. Telus Health can also be reached at 1.844.671.3327.
– For immediate mental health support or referral, call the BC Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code) 24 hours a day.

• Join us in learning more about and honouring the history, strengths and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada. There are many potential sources of information, such as:
  • The Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
  • The First Peoples’ Cultural Council
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation — educational video
  • Indigenous Tourism BC
  • ImagineNative
• Learn more about Indian Residential Schools — take time to read and reflect upon the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and commit to taking action on at least one of the calls.
• Learn more about the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites Associated with Indian Residential Schools.
• Learn more about the National Enquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the calls for justice.
• Find a list of other resources here.
• Share what you have learned with family and friends. Encourage others to learn more too.
• Celebrate Indigenous excellence — for inspiration, take a look at the Indspire Foundation Awards celebrating Indigenous achievement, or the Influential Indigenous Women Timeline at the Canada School of Public Service.
• Consider donating to, volunteering for, or finding other ways to support Indigenous organizations and causes.
• Wear orange on September 30 to honour Survivors of residential schools and those who never returned home.
• Make a new or renewed pledge to do your part towards reconciliation. More than ever, we are reminded of the listening, learning, work and commitment needed to move toward Truth and Reconciliation.

• Participate in:
  • Events and activities in Burnaby leading up to Sept 30.
  • Virtual events presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation leading up to Sept 30.
  • The Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day at UBC on September 30.
  • Other events being held in Metro Vancouver to recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day – here and here.
• Watch:
  • “Namwayut: We Are All One” a CBC Video on Truth and Reconciliation, narrated by Chief Robert Joseph, a residential school survivor.
  • An interview with Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner Murray Sinclair where he describes how Canadians can work toward reconciliation by, among other things, reading the Truth and Reconciliation report and finding a call to action that interests them.
  • A number of Indigenous movies and programs on CBC honouring Sept 30.