Our Reconciliation Commitment

A message from the Executive Director

On National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21.

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As we honour the history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous Peoples on this day, all of us at Sooke Family Resource Society - board, staff, and volunteers, stand together to bear witness to the atrocities of the Indian Residential Schools. We stand to honour the children who never came home, as well as the survivors, their families, their communities, and their Nations.

Our hearts go out to the people of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and to all Indigenous, Métis and Inuit Nations regarding the recent discovery of 215 children’s bodies at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.

We acknowledge the grief and trauma that has arisen from this event, and we recognize that trauma is both wide-spread and ongoing.

We also acknowledge that acts of colonization, including the creation of the Indian Act (including requiring Indigenous children to attend residential schools) has established substantial discrimination and inequities for First Nations people, both historically and into the present day.

It is our privilege to provide services on the unceded territories of the T'Sou-ke First Nation, Scia'new First Nation, Songhees First Nation, Esquimalt First Nation and Pacheedaht First Nation.

We are committed to taking responsibility for our part in Reconciliation. We promise:

  • To ensure that First Nations people are considered in the work that SFRS does and how our work impacts Indigenous persons and communities.
  • To be open to conversations on how SFRS can do better do in working towards truth and reconciliation and to work to address, within our mandate, the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
  • To invite input and feedback into the type and make-up of services we offer.
  • To not utter, accept or ignore racist statements, or language that includes stereotypes about Indigenous Peoples.
  • To continue our learning of the true history of Indigenous Peoples in this place we call Canada.
  • To continue to build positive relationships with our Indigenous partners, communities, friends and families.

Sooke Family Resource Society is available to help community members who need support.

RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT:

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society (IRSSS): 1-800-721-0066

Kuu-us Crisis Line
Adults: 250-723-4050
Youth: 250-723-2040
Toll free: 1-800-588-8717

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING and CELEBRATION:

A beautiful short artistic children and family story

https://drawingwisdom.ca/project/generous-spirit/

Picking Up the Pieces: Making of the Witness Blanket (full movie)

https://vimeo.com/254051287

N'we Jinan – Mobile Production Studio

https://nwejinan.com/

Nuxalk – Bella Coola Radio Station

http://www.nuxalkradio.com/

Help us to continue to provide essential services to the community