The Catalyst

Statement

June 4, 2021

This week we learned about 215 unidentified Indigenous children who were buried on the grounds of the former residential school near Kamloops, BC - which was Canada’s largest residential school. Acknowledging the atrocities of colonialism committed by actors of the Canadian government and organized religion against Indigenous peoples is just the beginning of what we need to understand and the first move towards genuine reconciliation and reparations for Indigenous peoples. 

The Canadian Government has acknowledged that some 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend residential schools. While most of the 139 Indian Residential Schools ceased to operate by the mid-1970s, the last federally-run school closed in the late 1990s., external link

June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. Educating ourselves and striving for equity and equality is paramount. Learning our histories means that hopefully, we will never repeat them, and moreover, we will ensure that it does not happen to others. A list of resources will be available on our website.

We stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities.

Please see the Dean of The Creative School's statement.