June 1, 2021

Statement from the Calgary Health Foundation regarding the 215 Indigenous Children

The Calgary Health Foundation is heartbroken to hear about the 215 Indigenous children whose remains were found at a former residential school in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. We honour these children and every child who was forced to attend residential schools.

With sadness, we acknowledge the long history of genocide against Indigenous Peoples in Canada and firmly believe all of us have a role to play in advancing meaningful truth and reconciliation.

Resources are available for those in need of support:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society: Phone Toll-Free 1-800-721-0066.

Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program: 24-hour crisis line 1-866-925-4419. Alberta services 1-888-495-6588.

Indigenous Wellness Core: Find services by your zone.

Native Counselling Services of Alberta: Find services by your area and program phone numbers.

AFCC’s Elder line, open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm: 1-403-801-7482

Continue your education on Canada’s long history of genocide against Indigenous Peoples:

Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, which offers 94 calls to action.

Enroll in this free 12-lesson course from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.

Learn about the findings from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which reveals the deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people.

In honour of National Indigenous History Month, Canadians can take advantage of this free, online learning series from First Nations University, available until July 15.

We encourage you to support these Indigenous-led organizations and charities in our communities:

Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary

Aboriginal Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness

Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary

Métis Calgary Family Services

Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth

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