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INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL COMMEMORATION PROJECT

OVERVIEW

The Anishinabek Nation expresses its sincere gratitude to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) for funding the “Honouring Our Children, Families, and Communities Affected by Indian Residential Schools Project,” allowing the Anishinabek Nation to commemorate the experiences of its citizens who attended Indian residential school with the objectives of fostering healing and reconciliation.

The Anishinabek Nation is very pleased to present the commemoration and education resources that have been developed under this project which are designed to:

* Honour and validate the healing and reconciliation of former students, their families, and their communities.

* Enhance education and understanding about Indian residential schools with the goal to improve relationships between First Nations and Canadians.

* Ensure the legacy of Indian residential schools and the experiences of former students, their families, and their communities are affirmed.

* Provide information about Indian residential schools in a format that reaches a wide audience, age ranges, and literacy levels.

* Memorialize the Indian residential school experience and develop a place where healing and education can begin to occur.

COMMEMORATION

The Anishinabek Nation has constructed a legacy monument at its head office located on Nipissing First Nation.  Unveiled on March 25, 2013 through an honouring ceremony, the legacy monument pays tribute to all Anishinabek citizens who attended Indian residential school, their families, and communities; and memorializes the Indian residential school experience.

The legacy monument is designed to be a place where healing and education about Indian residential schools and its affects can be shared, understood, and never forgotten.
Anishinabek Nation Indian Residential School students (living or deceased) can have their name included in the monument.  Former students or an authorized family member can have their name included in the monument.  A consent form will need to be completed.  The form can be found HERE.

The Anishinabek Nation has created a variety of resources to promote knowledge and awareness about the Indian residential school system and its lasting legacy on the former students and their families, the Anishinabek Nation, and Canada as a whole.  These resources include:

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  •  “Little Butterfly Girl: An Indian Residential School Story” that portrays the fictional story of a little girl who attended Indian residential school by presenting what her life was like before, during, and after attending Indian residential school.  Illustrated with beautiful artwork, this narrative picture book is available in English, Anishinaabemowin, and French.
  • Educational videos exploring the present day realities and aftermath of the Indian residential school system including inter-generational trauma; the healing journey of an Anishinabek survivor and her daughter; reclaiming the identity, language, and culture of the Anishinabek that was not permitted during the Indian residential school era; and why understanding about this legacy is central to the Anishinabek and all Canadians moving forward.  One video is in Anishinaabemowin.
  • Print and electronic materials examining the history of the Indian residential school system; the psychological and inter-generational impacts from the Indian residential school system; and educational resources on the Indian residential school system.
  • This educational website accessible through the Union of Ontario Indians home page which houses the above resources and includes information about the Government of Canada’s Apology, the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, mental health resources, legal resources, and various available educational resources to learn more about Indian residential schools.
  • Poster series showcasing the education resources that have been developed about the Indian residential school system and its legacy.
The Anishinabek Nation honours all of our citizens, living and deceased, who attended Indian residential school, and their families.  We honour the healing journey that we must take together.  We respect and honour the past, present and future.