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October • 2021 The power of positive, solution-based journalism.
ADVERTORIAL
In schools today, there is little mentioned about the amazing contributions Indigenous Peoples have made and continue to make to the fabric and foundation of our society. The history and information about residual trauma caused by Residential and Day Schools and the links to the current social and economic issues facing Indigenous Peoples are rarely taught in schools, which leads to generations of Canadians having no knowledge of this history, resulting in ongoing discrimination and racism. The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) understands that to create a brighter future for everyone in Canada and make strides toward Reconciliation, we need to address this gap in public education. We need to have comprehensive curricula throughout schools that highlight the diversity of our people, our cultures, languages, traditions, and most importantly, our history, including the impacts of colonialism. The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led organization that works to raise awareness about the history of the Residential and Day School System (R&DSS) and subsequent Sixties Scoop (SS) on seven generations of Indigenous
(First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities. For over 21 years, the LHF has been working to address discrimination and injustices to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and foster Reconciliation among all in Canada. By educating Canadians about the rich histories of Indigenous Peoples and the subsequent pain and injustices inflicted on generations after contact, we can highlight the strength and resilience of Survivors. Even more, we can build respect, understanding, and empathy, inspiring meaningful connections and actions that work toward addressing racism and establishing hope and healing in Canada. The LHF addresses this critical gap by offering a unique and comprehensive collection of exhibitions, workshops, training, podcasts, projects, and research reports for anyone and everyone to use to learn about Indigenous Peoples. The LHF provides curriculum resources for K-12 that emphasize Indigenous voices and explore First Nations, Inuit, and Métis expe-
riences through comprehensive lesson plans, activity guides, and more for students. Through workshops and training, the LHF teaches people how to become allies and empowers them to take positive action. The LHF fosters Reconciliation initiatives by teaching about Indigenous history and the links to ongoing societal issues. LHF exhibitions are standalone, unique, museum-like experiences that include first-hand Indigenous Testimonies and the links to ongoing issues such as the high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQTS+ individuals. True Reconciliation requires consistent, positive, and informed action by everyone, from schools to workplaces, families and everyone in between. We may not be personally responsible for what happened in the past, but we have all benefited from what Indigenous Peoples have endured, and we can take action to end ongoing injustices.
© PHOTO BY JOHN MACFIE, ARCHIVES OF ONTARIO, C330 C 330–13-0-0-162
A Lasting Legacy of Positive Action
TRUE RECONCILIATION requires consistent, positive, and informed action by everyone. Together, we can create a legacy that will educate and empower Canadians for years to come.
For more information, go to: legacyofhope.ca or email us at: info@legacyofhope.ca
ALLIE MURRAY
In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Webstad left her home on the Dog Creek reserve in B.C. and was enrolled in St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School. Before she left, her grandmother, whom she affectionately calls granny, bought her a brand new orange shirt. On her first day at school, she was stripped of her clothes and all her belongings, never to wear her orange shirt again. From what she experienced at St. Joseph’s and the longing for what was taken from her, Phyllis started Orange Shirt Day, an initiative observed annually on September 30, to create conversation about residential schools, to honour survivors and their families, and remember those who didn’t make it. “I am humbled and honoured that my story of my orange shirt was chosen to be a vehicle for change in Canada,” Phyllis explained. “It’s amazing how the day has gained momentum and
continues to grow. I’m happy that so many people are beginning to understand and learn about residential schools and their effects; I’m happy that survivors and families can talk and even heal together. I’m thankful to everyone for participating and learning about what happened to us.” Earlier this year, countless unmarked graves were found at residential schools across the country, which has prompted Canadians to learn more about the true story behind these schools and take action alongside survivors. For Phyllis, this is a story she knows all too well. “The unmarked graves are being confirmed, we have always known about the children buried at residential school sites,” she said. “I prefer to use confirmed and not discovered.” Phyllis’ story isn’t independent to her—not only did thousands of Indigenous people attend these schools across Canada, but Phyllis is one of 14 in her own family who attended residential schools. “My grandmother was the first
generation in our family to attend St. Joseph’s. All of her 10 children, including my mother, attended. My son was at the last operating residential school in Canada when it closed in 1996,” she explained. Sharing what her own experience was like, Phyllis said, “My experience was lonely, a lot of crying, I wasn’t sure what was happening or why. I was confused as to why we were there and why granny wasn’t coming to get me if she knew I was there. I learned to disassociate, to leave my physical body and go home. I became very good at it. Even today I can do this, it’s scary when I come back to my body and need to confirm to myself where I am and what I’m doing.” Sharing her story has been a large part of Phyllis’ healing journey. She has released three books, one of which was released earlier this month, that explain her experiences in residential schools, all centred around the thing that started it all: her orange shirt. “Writing the books has brought me to places I would never have
© JOHN DELL
How an Orange Shirt Became A Symbol for Truth and Reconciliation
gone to and I’ve met people I would not have otherwise met,” she said. “Travelling and meeting people and hearing their stories has helped me to understand the impact residential schools have had across Canada and beyond. Knowing my story and the story of my family is not unique has helped me to not be so hard on myself and to love myself and my family more.” Similarly, Phyllis teamed up
with Canadian Geographic and filmmaker Sean Stiller to bring her story to the big screen. The 90-minute documentary, called “Returning Home,” will tell the story about the parallels of the struggles of Indigenous peoples with residential schools and the salmon spawn on the Fraser River. “Canadians need to learn the stories and the truth from survivors and their families and the impact it’s had on generations.” ADVERTORIAL
Pandemic Precautions: How First Nations Across Ontario are Taking Measures to Combat COVID-19 ASHLEY ALBERT
© CHIEFS OF ONTARIO
First Nations across Ontario watched closely as COVID-19 began spreading across Canada last year. Leadership in First Nations communities were on high alert, considering many First Nations citizens fit into the high-risk categories for COVID-19 complications. Indigenous populations have
a high proportion of citizens with underlying medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Combined with the ongoing crises in First Nations communities, such as overcrowding in homes and lack of clean water, this meant that leadership needed to act quickly to stop COVID-19 from entering and spreading
CHIEF DEAN SAYERS, FORMER ORC ARCHIBALD
in their communities—and act quickly, they did. While First Nations leadership across Ontario worked to stop the spread of COVID-19 from entering their communities by implementing Emergency Response Groups, community testing, border restrictions, and more, they remained cautious, given their history with past pandemics. Given the history of health service overwhelm in Indigenous communities, the Ontario Regional Chief ’s office began sending information to communities in early March 2020. According to Colleen Seary, Director of Policy (COVID-19 Initiatives) for the Office of the Ontario Regional Chief, the COO has provided this information through daily, weekly, and monthly COVID-19 updates. They have been tracking all COVID-19 cases in Ontario, including in First Nations communities and the local public health units. They follow re-
Chiefs of Ontario Every Child Matters
solved cases, deaths, and active cases to share with First Nations. Sharing this information with First Nations lets them know of any potential hotspots near their communities. If a hotspot is located nearby, they can notify and advise their community members to take extra precautions when leaving the community. While leadership worked with frontline workers in their communities to get preventive measures in place, the COO quickly sent out information that helped communities make decisions based on the guidance from the local public health units. The data shows that First Nations leadership’s preventive measures worked to keep COVID-19 at bay. The low number of COVID-19 cases in First Nations communities can be attributed to the quick actions of leadership to prevent the spread of the virus. In Fort William First Nation, an urbanized community in northern Ontario, having zero
cases is a point of pride. “We have done everything to protect our community and that is something a lot of communities can be proud of—the work we did to keep everyone safe,” says Chief Peter Collins. As the pandemic stretches into a fourth wave, Ontario has begun seeing a resurgence of active COVID-19 cases across the province. It is vital that everyone avoids complacency and uses the early pandemic experience to move forward into a “new normal” and keep vulnerable citizens safe. The responses from First Nations c o m m u n i t i e s a c ro s s t h e province have so far proven to be successful. So long as leadership remains vigilant, these communities may continue to see positive results as they continue to march into an unprecedented future. Read the full story at chiefs-of-ontario.org
Supporting First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood.
WWW.CHIEFS-OF-ONTARIO.ORG
