OTTAWA, UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY,
ON, June 28, 2024 /CNW/ - The Government of
Canada is working to make
information about residential school sites and buildings more
accessible to Survivors, Indigenous communities and researchers as
part of efforts to ensure that data about Indigenous Peoples is
made available for their use.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous
Services, announced the launch of a new interactive mapping tool
and environmental scan report of the 140 former residential schools
recognized in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
These tools make publicly held data and information about
residential schools more accessible, reducing the barriers that
Survivors and their families and communities face when trying to
find data and information about former sites and buildings. These
tools support Indigenous Data Sovereignty, which is a key part of
Indigenous cultural heritage, an important means of capturing and
sharing collective stories, and central to reconciliation and
Indigenous self-determination.
The Former Indian Residential Schools Environmental Scan:
Status of Sites and Buildings report is the culmination of work
by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) that began in 2022–2023. The
Department used publicly accessible research and datasets to
investigate the current condition and ownership of former
residential schools sites and buildings. ISC commissioned the
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to develop a companion
report that sets out considerations, approaches and principles that
should be taken into account for any local or national engagement
with Indigenous partners concerning future use or protection of
former residential school sites and buildings. To further
complement this work, ISC created an interactive map that allows
users to visualize the location and historical context of former
residential school sites. The mapping application integrates
contemporary and historical aerial photos, providing a powerful
tool for Survivors. The environmental scan report and interactive
map are now available online.
These tools align with initiatives and legislation that call for
Indigenous Data Sovereignty, including Action Plan Item #30 of the
Government of Canada's United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
Action Plan, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of
Canada's Calls to Action and the
2023–2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service. The
Government of Canada, in
collaboration with Indigenous partners, is committed to an open
approach to the management and sharing of data to support
self-determination and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
Quotes
"The foundation of reconciliation is truth. People in
Canada for too long have had the
truth of colonialism hidden from them, harming us all, and delaying
the healing that is essential to our country's health and
prosperity. This new tool will empower Survivors and communities in
their journey toward healing from the pain and trauma caused by
residential schools. It will also advance Indigenous Data
Sovereignty and provide another tool of self-determination. Facing
the past is painful but essential in the healing we must all do
together."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
Quick facts
- The report provides an overview of the current condition,
jurisdictional ownership and complexities related to sites and
buildings of the 140 former residential schools recognized in the
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
- The mapping tool integrates the data held by various publicly
available datasets and offers users the ability to visualize
residential school sites, access historical contexts, and use
advanced analytical features, such as search, filters and
measurement tools.
- Approximately 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and
separated from their families and communities and forced to attend
residential schools.
- A National Residential School Crisis Line is available to
access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the
24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.
- The Hope for Wellness Help Line is also available at
1-855-242-3310 or via the online chat function through their
website.
Associated links
- Indian Residential Schools Environmental Scan: Report
- Indian Residential Schools Interactive Map
- Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
- 2023–2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples Act Action Plan
- The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls
to Action
- Addressing former residential school buildings and sites on
reserves
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support
Program
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada