A message in support of the Stó:lō Nation
We recognize that this message contains upsetting content. The following support services are available:
Students:
- UNBC Counselling Services (250-960-6369) provides programming and support.
- Students at the Peace River-Liard, Northwest and South-Central campuses have access to counselling services in their home communities.
- Students can also access Here2Talk, a 24/7 counselling and community referral service.
Faculty and staff:
- UNBC employees can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program through the UNBC Health & Wellbeing website or by calling 1-800-663-1142 for 24/7 access to confidential, professional counselling services.
- Residential School survivors and their families
- There is 24-hour support available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis line at 1-800-721-0066
- The Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program crisis line 1-866-925-4419.
Good afternoon,
It is with profound sadness that I reach out to the University community in light of the news of the confirmation of 158 child deaths at residential schools and a former hospital in the Fraser Valley.
On Thursday, the Stó:lō Nation shared the findings of its multi-year investigation called Taking Care of Our Children. It included a search through archival records, an examination of oral history accounts, interviews with survivors and geophysical surveys at the St. Mary’s Residential School in Mission, Coqualeetza Industrial Institute/Residential School in Chilliwack, All Hallows School in Yale and the Coqualeetza Indian Hospital.
These discoveries put a renewed focus on the horrific conditions that existed at residential schools, the innocent lives lost and the impact on families over the course of generations. The findings serve as yet another tragic reminder as we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.
As a University community, we express our deepest condolences to the Stó:lō Nation as they mourn the children who never returned home. We stand in solidarity with all Indigenous Peoples as they continue to do the agonizing work that brings the truth of Canada’s brutal residential school system to light.
Wearing an orange shirt next week is one symbolic step we can take to show support, but our individual and collective actions speak louder.
We must act on Truth and Reconciliation by implementing the Calls to Action here at UNBC and encouraging others to do the same.
Sincerely,
Dr. Geoffrey W. Payne
President and Vice-Chancellor
