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Our History
These include a mixture of both internally-focused self-examination and learning initiatives and externally-focused advocacy, fundraising and partnership initiatives. All externally-focused initiatives will be ones called for, and ideally led, by Indigenous people.
our planOur goals include: raising awareness and educating non-Indigenous people, participating as allies in initiatives led by Indigenous organizations, advocating for systemic change, and fundraising.
Activities may include:
If you would like to get involved, scroll down for actions we're supporting, suggested reading, and more.
For more information or to join our group, please contact trag@firstunitarianottawa.ca |
reparationsBelow, you'll find a short list of Indigenous organizations that could use your financial support. There are many more, but these are a place to start.
Minwaashin Lodge
Minwaashin Lodge provides programs and services to Indigenous women and children who are survivors of domestic and other forms of violence, including the effects of the residential school system. Programs and services are provided in the context of cultural beliefs and values to ensure a holistic approach is used on the healing journey. Odawa Native Friendship Centre A self-determined Indigenous owned and operated community centre offering programs, services and supports to Ottawa's urban Indigenous community. Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health More than a health centre, Wabano is a proud, Indigenous organization dedicated to helping Indigenous people live the good life. Here, First Nations, Inuit and Métis people guide the path of their health and their healthcare. Legacy of Hope Foundation A national Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School System. The LHF supports the ongoing healing process of Residential School Survivors, and their families and seeks their input on projects that honour them. Indian Residential School Survivors Society The Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization with a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. |
take action!
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The Federal Court recently upheld a landmark compensation order for First Nations children to be compensated for the discrimination they faced in the Child Welfare System, however, the Federal Government can still appeal. The original complaint by the First Nations Family Caring Society and the Assembly of First Nations, was filed in 2007 so it has been tied up in the courts for 14 years.
Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, launched the human rights complaint that led to the ruling, along with the Assembly of First Nations. In a CBC interview, she states: "Now the question becomes, will the federal government finally put down its sword and stop fighting First Nations children and treat them equally? It would be the first time in the history of the country if they ended their discrimination in federally funded public services." |
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The Federal Government can still appeal the decision and Blackstock is calling on Canadians to speak up about the injustice. With that in mind, we ask you to write to your MP and the Prime Minister, urging them to take responsibility, on behalf of the Crown, for the harm done and for Canada's ongoing discrimination against Indigenous people. We need to bring an end to this long, drawn out legal battle. The government must show action, not just words, to move forward toward justice and fair compensation in the spirit of reconciliation.
Click here to download a sample letter.
Click here to find your MP's contact information.
Click here to download a sample letter.
Click here to find your MP's contact information.
FIRST STEP: JOIN THE #94IN94 CAMPAIGN
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We invite you to join this media campaign - a collaboration between Reconciliation Thunder and Circles for Reconciliation - to raise awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
"Daily, the #94in94 campaign will highlight each of the 94 Calls to Action in as many days, encouraging people across Turtle Island to take action in a variety of ways. The campaign will conclude on September 30, in honour of Orange Shirt Day and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, commemorating the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada." To sign up for this campaign go to: reconciliationthunder.org |
Reflections on the 94 Calls to Action
From Carmen:
I received the daily notifications, which helped me develop a sense of the scope of these Calls for Action. Receiving the notifications provided a full overview and understanding of the document, which we would need to use as reference, as well as a starting point to engage in further reconciliation action. I also shared some of the calls on my Facebook page, in an attempt to let others know (or know more) about Truth and Reconciliation.
From Jan:
I have become more aware of all the work yet to be done - only 13 Calls to Action have been completed, with 29 projects underway, 32 proposed and 20 not started (you can check progress on the 94 Calls here).
A few of the Calls to Action (#48, #49 and #60) are specifically directed at religious organizations such as ours and I am now more aware of the work we still need to do. For example #48: We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.
Our TRAG group is committed to exploring what this means for our FirstU Community so we can move forward in an honourable way.
From Carmen:
I received the daily notifications, which helped me develop a sense of the scope of these Calls for Action. Receiving the notifications provided a full overview and understanding of the document, which we would need to use as reference, as well as a starting point to engage in further reconciliation action. I also shared some of the calls on my Facebook page, in an attempt to let others know (or know more) about Truth and Reconciliation.
From Jan:
I have become more aware of all the work yet to be done - only 13 Calls to Action have been completed, with 29 projects underway, 32 proposed and 20 not started (you can check progress on the 94 Calls here).
A few of the Calls to Action (#48, #49 and #60) are specifically directed at religious organizations such as ours and I am now more aware of the work we still need to do. For example #48: We call upon the church parties to the Settlement Agreement, and all other faith groups and interfaith social justice groups in Canada who have not already done so, to formally adopt and comply with the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.
Our TRAG group is committed to exploring what this means for our FirstU Community so we can move forward in an honourable way.
WE WERE AT
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Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance
Thursday, September 30 The City of Ottawa observed the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honouring First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, their families and communities, and meant to ensure that public commemoration of their history and the legacy of residential schools remains a vital part of the reconciliation process. We took part at the Remember Me events on Parliament Hill. |
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we were at
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Walk of Sorrow: Solidarity Walk + Final Ceremony
Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22 After hearing about the unmarked graves at the residential school in Kamloops, BC, Patricia Ballantyne decided to walk from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, to Ottawa on a journey of healing. A main goal of Patricia’s is to reach Ottawa in August and raise awareness about current-day Indigenous childcare policies. TRAG supported Patricia Ballantyne's Walk of Sorrow on August 21 Some of us stood in solidarity with Patricia and her team of walkers for ceremonies and sharing of stories at Kitchissippi Lookout; others convened at Remic Rapids to join the intended (but unexpectedly cancelled ) second-last leg of the walk. |
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On August 22, we joined in solidarity with Patricia, the walkers and other supporters, mostly Indigenous people, for ceremonies, speeches and the final leg of the walk from the Gather-Ring to its destination, Parliament Hill. Others of us who were not in Ottawa watched the live transmission of the Parliament Hill proceedings.
While we went to show solidarity with residential "school" survivor and the families of the deceased, we gained much from Patricia and the walkers.
Their stories and ceremonies were extremely moving and rich with learning for us.
While we went to show solidarity with residential "school" survivor and the families of the deceased, we gained much from Patricia and the walkers.
Their stories and ceremonies were extremely moving and rich with learning for us.
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MARCH for Truth and Justice!
Saturday, July 31 The Truth and Reconciliation Action Group took part in July 31's March for Truth and Justice. We marched, with Mumilaaq Qaqqaq, Charlie Angus, and local Elders, from the Centennial Flame to the Justice Department in Ottawa to support the demand for an independent investigation into Canada's residential "school" system led by a special prosecutor. |
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Projects At First Unitarian
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Ajashki Means Soil in Algonquin Language
Ajashki is FirstU’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s “Call to Action,” the UN’ Sustainable Development Goal #2 to end poverty, and UNDRIP’s effort to reduce systemic racism. Ajashki wants to harness the potential of youth leaders by promoting access to Indigenous language and culture related to ancestral gardening practices. You can read more about the Ajashki Project HERE. |
suggested reading
Calls to Action
Read all 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and put pressure on local and national governments and organizations to make good on them.
Books for Young Children
After the first mass grave was uncovered at the former Kamloops residential "school", the CBC issued an article (Chantelle Bellrichard) suggesting books about the residential "school" system that are age-appropriate for kids under twelve. Read these aloud if you need a starting point from which to build conversations about the children whose lives were lost at the hands of Canada's residential "school" system. You can find a pdf of the article here.
Read all 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and put pressure on local and national governments and organizations to make good on them.
Books for Young Children
After the first mass grave was uncovered at the former Kamloops residential "school", the CBC issued an article (Chantelle Bellrichard) suggesting books about the residential "school" system that are age-appropriate for kids under twelve. Read these aloud if you need a starting point from which to build conversations about the children whose lives were lost at the hands of Canada's residential "school" system. You can find a pdf of the article here.
CUC STATEMENT - FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF A CHILDREN'S MASS GRAVE ON THE SITE OF KAMLOOPS INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
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Since the initial uncovering of the bodies 215 children on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, many more remains have been unearthed. As of July 13, 2021, the remains of 1,665 Indigenous children have been found, and we know there are many more who still need to be returned to their homes and extended families.
Below is the CUC statement following that initial discovery in Kamloops: "Canadian Unitarian Universalists share the grief and sorrow over the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. We are profoundly shaken, while recognizing that sadly it does not come as a shock to many Indigenous families across the country.
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The discovery further shows the immense harm done by the residential school system and the effects that continue to be felt today. This is genocide, and there are remains of children and youth at almost every former residential school site. It is a start, but not enough, for the government to offer reparations for the 215 children; we urge that it must be a priority to recover the remains of all the other lost children.
The CUC committed in 2014 to upholding the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and we reaffirm our support for implementing this, as well as the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as the best means of addressing the injustices Indigenous people in Canada face.
We encourage Canadians to write to their Member of Parliament to press for action that will help repair some of the harm done, to consider donating to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, and to continue the work to educate ourselves about the history and impact of the residential school system.
Together we must ensure that every child matters and no children are forgotten."
The CUC committed in 2014 to upholding the recommendations of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and we reaffirm our support for implementing this, as well as the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as the best means of addressing the injustices Indigenous people in Canada face.
We encourage Canadians to write to their Member of Parliament to press for action that will help repair some of the harm done, to consider donating to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, and to continue the work to educate ourselves about the history and impact of the residential school system.
Together we must ensure that every child matters and no children are forgotten."
