One Year Memorial and Acknowledgement of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Residential School Survivors and all Indigenous Peoples
May 26, 2022
Content Warning: Residential Schools, Indigenous Harm and Trauma, Colonialism, Systemic Racism, Intergenerational Trauma. Below are resources listed that are readily accessible for Indigenous students external/internal to SFU that provide support specific to colonial trauma.
RE: One Year Memorial and Acknowledgement of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Residential School Survivors and all Indigenous Peoples.
The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) would like to acknowledge the one year memorial anniversary of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Residential School Survivors, the families, Indigenous Peoples and communities across Turtle Island who have been impacted as a result of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system and the unmarked graves of stolen children being brought to “Canada’s public attention”. Most importantly, we want to acknowledge the children who were forcefully torn from their communities and taken too soon through the process of state violence and genocide conducted by the Canadian government from 1831-1998.
Our thoughts are with you all as we observe these next days and centre Indigenous communities. Especially those who have been speaking out about the stolen children in unmarked graves for decades. Not only were they met with inaction, but they also faced further denial, apathy and racism. The Indian Residential School system has had long-lasting impacts and harmful implications on Indigenous communities. This includes all Indigenous students across Turtle Island. Because survivors and Indigenous communities have known of, and have been speaking out about these gravesites for hundreds of years, we are mindful that the terminology used of Indigenous children being “found” (referring to discovery of the fact) is harmful. This past year, over the 1,381 children that have been detected using ground-penetrating radar technology. Rather than being “found”, they are instead returning to their communities and families.
With this one-year memorial anniversary, we want to proactively address and support our Indigenous community members by acknowledging how heavy and traumatic this news is to bear. We stand in solidarity with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Indigenous Students, and community members during this very difficult time and beyond.
The Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) is committed to Reconciliation. This includes acting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Actions. Furthermore, we recognize Indigenous sovereignty, empowerment, resilience and standing with Indigenous organizers, land defenders and those on the frontlines.
We are committed to supporting Indigenous students in their academic journeys, while also prioritizing and amplifying their voices and work in any capacity. We will continue to circulate and advocate for much-needed support for Indigenous students that have been directly impacted.
We acknowledge that Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the SFSS are colonial institutions situated on the stolen and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl ̓ ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), kʷikʷəƛ ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), and Katzie Nations whose inception is rooted in the oppression and denial of Indigenous peoples – and have continued in a legacy of causing harm to Indigenous students and community members. This includes the denial of Indigenous ways of living, being and knowing. We also acknowledge that the Canadian education system has been a primary vehicle to legitimize assimilation and genocidal processes. It is important that we acknowledge this and follow through with the calls to action that have been given by Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. This serves as a reminder for institutions to be mindful of honouring the time, labour and re-traumatization that survivors have faced throughout the course of this challenging year. We cannot move forward in the healing process without addressing and acknowledging the ongoing harms that have and will continue to occur.
Below, there is a list of supports that can be accessed by Indigenous students at SFU and within Indigenous communities.
RESOURCES
KUU-US Crisis Line Society (24/7)
Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society
Métis Crisis Line
Hope for Wellness Helpline (24/7)
SFU Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) Counselling
SFU Access Case Manager
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
First Nation Health Authority
Aboriginal Wellness Program
Child and Youth Aboriginal Mental Health Outreach – East Hastings Street
Download this statement as a PDF here.