National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

To mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) released the following statement:

“Indigenous Peoples make up the fastest growing population in Canada and continue to face systemic barriers to their economic and social well-being,” said Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, OCC. “Every sector has a role to play in advancing Truth and Reconciliation and ensuring equitable outcomes across the country.”

While today presents an opportunity to amplify Indigenous voices and commit to continuous learning and unlearning, the work does not end here. As a collective, we must recognize the lasting legacy and impacts of colonialism, the inter-generational effects of residential ‘schools’ and the ongoing systemic racism facing Indigenous communities across Canada.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 92 calls on businesses to advance economic reconciliation and Indigenous economic inclusion by:

• Building meaningful, respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples;
• Ensuring equitable employment and economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities; and
• Providing skills-based staff training in intercultural competency and anti-racism.

“Today, several community-based organizations are hosting events, conversations, and days of action to commemorate residential ‘school’ Survivors and honour their stories throughout the province. We encourage business owners in Niagara to take part in these important learning opportunities and reflect on the local and national history that continues to shape the experiences of Indigenous Peoples across Canada,” said Mishka Balsom, CEO of the GNCC. .

The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in Niagara, the largest business organization in the region and the second-largest Chamber of Commerce in Ontario, with 1,500 members representing 50,000 employees. More information on the GNCC is available at gncc.ca.

Contact:
Mishka Balsom, CEO
Mishka@gncc.ca or 905-684-2361

Today, we recognize and commemorate the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools and the trauma experienced by so many. We believe Canadian business has an important role to play in reconciliation and commit to ongoing education, reflection and promoting economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We will be learning more about the concrete actions we can take from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Read the Calls to Action

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has excellent resources to deepen understanding of the legacy of residential schools, including workshops, videos and links to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s reports. Explore the NCTR’s site and sign up for online events here: https://nctr.ca/

Visit NCTR.ca

The reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission contain 94 recommendations, as well as histories of the residential school system, stories of survivors, information on missing children and unmarked burials, and more. The reports are essential reading for anyone interested in truth and reconciliation and in calls to action so that Canada can move forward. They are freely available and in the public domain.

Read the Reports

The following resources are meant to facilitate ongoing education and reflection on the history and ongoing legacy of Canada’s residential school system. We’ve also included resources that provide support for Indigenous peoples and residential school survivors across Canada.

Support for Indigenous Peoples

National Residential Crisis Line
A crisis line set up to provide support for survivors and those who need it. Call 1-866-925-4419.

Hope for Wellness Help Line
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program provides mental health, emotional and cultural support services to eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families.
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581971225188/1581971250953

Education

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
At the NCTR, survivors, their families, educators, researchers and the public can examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.
https://nctr.ca/

NCTR’s Truth and Reconciliation Week Online Public Events and Registration
These online events will provide historical workshops, exclusive video content and activities — all supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.
https://nctr.ca/education/trw/general-public-schedule/

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Reports
Read the TRC’s 94 calls to action, final report and more.
https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports

A Conversation with Senator Murray Sinclair
Broadcast in 2016, Senator Murray Sinclair discusses the role of commissions in Canada.
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1470146258433/1559837409039

Residential School Map
An interactive map of residential schools and TRC events in Canada. The map is updated regularly as more research is complete.
https://nctr.ca/records/view-your-records/archival-map/

Native-Land.ca
Native Land Digital strives to create and foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations, through educational resources such as our map and Territory Acknowledgement Guide. They strive to go beyond old ways of talking about Indigenous people and to develop a platform where Indigenous communities can represent themselves and their histories on their own terms.
Click here to view an interactive map of Indigenous territories and languages.