This is our official statement regarding the Kamloops residential school atrocities.
The Creative Innovation Studio, Fashion Zone, and Indigenous Fashion Support Program (IFS) would like to extend our shared grief to the 215+ Indigenous children, their families, and communities that lost their lives and suffered countless atrocities at one of Canada’s largest residential schools in Kamloops, British Columbia. This residential school was one of hundreds that forcibly separated Indigenous children from their families and compelled them to leave their culture and identities to conform to the Euro-Canadian culture. This statement was released by the chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7, Rosanne Casimir, on May 27, 2021. In order to fix the systemic inequalities that continue to affect Indigeous communities today, it is crucial that we take the first step to decolonizing our society by educating ourselves and those around us.
To read the full press release regarding this tragedy, please visit www.bit.ly/tkemlups-release-2021. (external link) We recognize that the Indigenous community has and continues to suffer through numerous losses and that this is an extremely difficult period for many. Thus, in order to educate ourselves and further support those in need, we would like to provide some resources and support services offered internal and external to the university below.
Additionally, the IFS will be hosting a Town Hall via Zoom on Wednesday June 2nd from 2:00pm-3:00pm as an opportunity for all folks to express their feelings and concerns in a brave and inclusive environment. For more information and registration, please contact the Fashion Zone via email at fashionzone@torontomu.ca.
Resources
- https://tkemlups.ca/remains-of-children-of-kamloops-residential-school-discovered/ (external link)
- https://yellowheadinstitute.org/2021/05/11/welcome-to-x-university-an-open-letter-to-the-community-from-indigenous-students/ (external link)
- https://www.torontomu.ca/fcad/news/2021/06/a-message-from-dean-charles-falzon-about-the-215-first-nations-children-found-buried-at-former-b-c-residential-school/
- https://www.torontomu.ca/news-events/news/2021/05/message-to-the-community-about-the-kamloops-residential-school-burial-site/
- https://www.torontomu.ca/equity/programs-reports/truth-reconciliation-ryerson/
- (PDF file) https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/aboriginal-news/aboriginal-report-web.pdf
- Indigenous Traditional Counselling Services available through Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services
- Ryerson Centre for Student Development and Counselling
- the employee assistance program for resources and counselling
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program (external link)
- 24-Hour National Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- https://www.torontomu.ca/aboriginal/services/
- https://oncanadaproject.ca/settlerstakeaction (external link)