Resources on Residential Schools

The May 2021 discovery of a 215 unmarked graves with remains of children at a former residential school site in Kamloops, BC, has reminded us of the horrors of Canada’s colonial policies. We mourn the loss of these children and the trauma that colonial violence has caused past and present generations. While residential schools were closed for good in 1996, colonial policies in other forms continue in the present. Such policies have a direct and lasting negative impact on Indigenous health, and on our wellness as a nation.

If you are Indigenous, supports are available:

  • National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (24 hour): 1-866-925-4419.
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 / hopeforwellness.ca
  • Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): 1-800-721-0066.
  • NWT Help Line: Call 811 or 1-844-259-1793. Services are available in English and French, with translation services provided for all official languages of the NWT.
  • Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line (24 hours): 1-800-265-3333.

Additional supports:

The CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health Institute Advisory Board Elders Mary Wilson and Mabel Horton have provided their emails to support Indigenous people in need of support:

 

Hotıì ts’eeda encourages all non-Indigenous Canadians to further their own education on Canada’s colonial past and present as a starting point for taking action. Below is a list of resources to get started:

Courses:

Online:

Videos & Podcasts:

Books for Adults:

NWT-based:

Others:

Books for Children and Young Adults:

NWT-based:

Other:

Organizations: