June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. It is a time for all Canadians to learn and celebrate the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples and to better understand our own colonial legacy. It is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on the sacrifices and injustices done to these communities. One example is the discovery of 215 unmarked burials at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia last year followed by additional discoveries in other communities including right here in Ontario. Locating unmarked graves at former residential school sites is a reminder of the abuse that residential school policies inflicted on Indigenous children, their families and their communities. Indigenous communities continue to mourn the loss of children and generations due to the residential school system.
Child welfare acknowledges its role in these systems of historical and ongoing colonization. While the Halton Children’s Aid Society is proud to reflect, engage, celebrate and learn, we continue to be fully committed to truth and reconciliation by guiding our work with the implementation of the Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. A commitment to truth and reconciliation can include increasing your understanding of the history of the many diverse nations of Indigenous Peoples. A great place to learn more is the Our Kids Network Learning Library.