From President Cindy Heitman
Hadih/Dana chea/ Dahooja/ Hello:
This week, CNC will hold events and remembrances to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday September 30th, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a solemn reminder of a very dark and painful part of Canadian history, with repercussions to this day. I ask the entire CNC community to stop, reflect, and commit to a path of Truth and Reconciliation.
As a lifelong student and educator, I have looked at learning as a hopeful, optimistic path. The darkness of residential schools has greatly influenced me, and how I view my role and responsibilities in Truth and Reconciliation.
We must never forget the harms brought upon Indigenous peoples by residential schools. These include separation from their families; being deprived of knowledge, language, and traditions; physical and sexual abuse; lives lost; and life-long trauma that has impacted subsequent generations.
Given the shameful and tragic experiences of residential schools, we must commit to learning. We must listen carefully to the stories and recollections of those who lived through the residential school system and those who did not. We must individually and collectively commit to change.
The college is committed to this change. I ask you to please join me the following steps:
- Wear orange this week and on Monday September 30th as a show of solidarity with those who survived, those who did not, and those who continue to live with the intergenerational trauma of residential schools;
- Attend college events posted on CNC’s website. I thank the Prince George Aboriginal Resource Centre as well as advisors at all campuses for organizing local efforts; and
- Take part in a community event on Monday September 30th. The day is a statutory holiday so we can do exactly that. I know from experience that the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park ceremonies are heartfelt reminders of this tragic chapter which also show hope that we can achieve true Truth and Reconciliation.
We sadly cannot change Canada’s dark past with residential schools. We can work to change our attitudes and understanding on Truth and Reconciliation to develop a new path forward between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Counselling and support services:
- The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS): 1-800-721-0066.
- A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line offering emotional and crisis referral services: 1-866-925-4419.
- Within B.C., the KUU-US Crisis Line Society, a First Nations and Indigenous-specific crisis line at 1-800-588-8717.
- CNC Wellness Coaching and Counselling.
- Here2Talk by the Government of British Columbia, a confidential support for students 24 hours a day. Call 1-604-642-5212, toll free 1-877-857-3397, visit the website, or use the Here2Talk app via Google Play and the App store.
- For CNC staff members, the employee and family assistance program via Homewood Health. Please call 1-800-663-1142, via TTY at 1-888-384-1152, or visit their website. All calls are completely confidential.