CES Ontario offers our deepest condolences for the inconsolable pain of all Indigenous communities, especially the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, the survivors of the Kamloops Indian Residential School, and the kin of the 215 children who never came home. We stand with Indigenous people across Canada as they grieve and protest and with any members who identify as Indigenous.
We encourage those who were affected by this developing tragedy to please seek support and community, and to consider reaching out to the resources below:
- National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS): 1-800-721-0066
- Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310, or through online chat counselling
The atrocities of the residential school system are our collective responsibility as settlers to bear. We call on all levels of government to address and implement the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day – a time to reflect upon and learn the history, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples. We will continue to individually and collectively educate ourselves on how we can be better allies.
We encourage everyone who is able, to join us in donating to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society and supporting charities serving Indigenous Peoples.
–
CES Ontario recognizes that systemic racism and oppression exists within Ontario, that the practice of evaluation takes place within those systems, and more can be done by CES Ontario and our members to address those systems.