NAN Supports Survivors on Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
THUNDER BAY, ON: The Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council have issued the following statement on Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation:
“Today, as we reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system, we honour all Survivors, their families, and communities, and remember the children who did not make it home. We must never forget them, and the work we do is to remember them.
Over three years have passed since shocking news of the identification of 215 potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. This pivotal moment, while tragic and heartbreaking, compelled nationwide action and response. It was a wakeup call that reverberated across Turtle Island.
Since then, searches have started at other former IRS sites across Canada, including seven sites in NAN territory. The work of finding the missing children, however, has not been without significant challenges, leading to barriers and delays in searches and finding answers for families and communities with missing loved ones. Families deserve to know where children are buried and why they died, to repatriate their remains if they choose, and to memorialize them in a respectful way.
Last month, the federal government reversed its decision to cap funding and restrict eligible activities under the Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund. The federal government knew that demand for resources exceeded their investment. But they chose to adjust a funding program that provides the crucial resources for finding the missing children rather than increasing the budget to enable more activities that Survivor-led initiatives, First Nations communities, and organizations want to undertake. This is unacceptable. We heard directly from the Prime Minister in 2021 that supporting searches was a priority. We expect this promise to be kept.
Additionally, the federal government continues to fight Survivors of St. Anne’s Indian Residential School, one of the most notorious Residential Schools in Canada, by failing to comply with a 2014 Court Order for disclosure of documents that detail the atrocities committed at St. Anne’s. Withholding evidence (or documents or records) contributes to the prevention of Survivors’ truths from being validated and justified. Healing includes justice, yet living Survivors of St. Anne’s continue to be harmed by the federal government and the Catholic Church.
Indian Residential Schools operated for approximately 165 years. To recover and heal from their legacy will take generations. NAN calls on the Government of Canada to abide by its obligations and honour its commitments to Survivors and their families by investing sufficient, sustainable resources with a long-term commitment towards IRS initiatives. True reconciliation cannot come without truth and justice. Our federal Treaty partner must continue to invest in that truth and further ensure justice for Survivors and their families, even when it does not fit neatly into a funding box.”
NAN held its annual Orange Shirt Day walk on September 27 in Thunder Bay. Grand Chief Fiddler and Deputy Grand Chiefs Bobby Narcisse and Mike Metatawabin joined Survivors and other participants. Today, Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum will support and stand with Survivors rallying on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Orange is the symbol of the annual Orange Shirt Day named for Phyllis (Jack) Webstad whose new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year-old girl on her first day at Residential School.
IRS Survivors, their families, and anyone requiring emotional support or assistance can contact:
- National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line available 24-hours at 1-866-925-4419
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line available 24-hours at 1-855-242-3310
- NAN Hope at 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673)
For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca