The painful truth of colonization
In light of recent evidence of the unmarked graves of 215 children that have been found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in Canada, we express our deep condolences to the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Residential School Survivors and all Indigenous people who continue to be affected.
It will take many lifetimes of work to understand the truth and depth of colonial injustice and violence.
There is much learning and healing to be done. Raincoast is committed to making space and resources available to our team, and the communities with which we work. We will also encourage our team, board, supporters, and audience to consider steps we can all take.
Actions indicated by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society include:
- Learn about the impacts of the Indian Residential School system
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 recommendations
- Contact your MPs and local officials to encourage them to take meaningful action
- Actively listen to people of First Nations, Inuit and Métis backgrounds
- Stand up to stereotypes, prejudice and systemic racism
- Have conversations with your family and friends
- Be respectful towards trauma survivors and elders
- Support Indigenous-led community organizations
- Be patient, empathetic and receptive
- Raise awareness in your community/online (wear orange)
Resources for Indigenous people:
- Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society: 1-866-925-4419
- KUU-US Crisis Line: 1-800-588-8717
- Tsow-Tun-Le Lum: 1-866-925-4419
Related resources
- Consent protocols on Secwépemc Territory
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission reports
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action (PDF)
- Truth and Reconciliation Executive summary (PDF)
- Truth and Reconciliation “The Survivors Speak” (PDF)
You can help
Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.
We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.
