Theatre Projects Manitoba shares in the grief and acknowledges that pain caused by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a Kamloops residential school in British Columbia. We are angered and heartbroken for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and for all Indigenous communities and peoples across this land.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line can be reached at 1-866 925-4419. If you need help, please reach out.
As a settler organization, we acknowledge this country’s shameful history and our complicity in it. We want to support and stand by all those who experience harm and trauma. We recognize it is imperative that we continue to take action; as citizens and fellow travellers, as artists and cultural workers, as neighbours and colleagues, we must strengthen our resolve and commitments to reconciliation.
As Theatre Project Manitoba continues to navigate through our own individual and organizational learning and actions, we ask for you to join us and please consider taking one or more of these actions today.
DONATE – Honouring 215 Children https://reconciliationcanada.ca/honouring215children/
Reconciliation Canada Please visit Reconciliation Canada to learn more about the Indian Residential School Survivor Society and make a donation to support Survivors. Reconciliation Canada is an extensive resource for learning and action.
EDUCATE – NCTR – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation https://nctr.ca/
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) makes available here digital copies of important and relevant reports for Survivors and their families, researchers, media and the public. The reports, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action and a report entitled The Survivor’s Speak are easily accessible on the site.
–Indigenous Canada | Coursera https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada
The University of Alberta offers this free online course. Take it. Take it with your kids or parents. Take it with your neighbour or co-worker! The next round of this course starts today, June 3rd, but you work at your own pace so sign up and start anytime in the coming few days. This foundational learning is essential.
STORIES – Keep reading. The stories are there and the history is available. There are two Manitoba authors, David Robertson and Katherena Vermette who are featured on this list. Read, listen, learn and then share what you learned. This list of books about residential schools include stories for all ages. Thank you to David Robertson for telling stories, and for posting and sharing this list.
Indian Horse- Richard Wagamese
Orange Shirt Day – Phyllis Webstad
Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chi’s Canoe – Nicola Campbell
Seven Fallen Feathers – Tanya Talaga
Dear Canada, These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens – Ruby Slipperjack
In Search of April Raintree – Beatrice Mosionier
The Train – Jodie Callaghan
My Name is Seepeetza – Shirley Sterling
Fatty Legs – Christy Jordan Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
I Am Not A Number – Jenny Kay Dupuis
When We Were Alone – David A. Robertson & Julie Flett
A Stranger At Home
The Break – Katherena Vermette
Porcupines and China Dolls – Robert Arthur Alexie
The Marrow Thieves – Cherie Dimaline
When I Was Eight – Christy Jordan Fenton
Not My Girl – Christy Jordan Fenton
Stolen Words – Melanie Florence
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad
We Feel Good Out Here – Julie-Anne Andre & Mindy Willett
The Land Is Our Storybook – Julie-Anne Andre & Mindy Willett
When We Play Our Drums, They Sing! & Lucy & Lola – Richard Van Camp & Monique Gray Smith
Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story
As Long as the Rivers Flow – Larry Loyie
Five Little Indians – Michelle Good
One Story, One Song – Richard Wagamese
The Red Files – Lisa Bird-Wilson
The Education of Augie Merasty
Speaking Our Truth – Monique Gray Smith
They Called Me Number One – Bev Sellers
I Lost My Talk – Rita Joe
Moon of the Crusted Snow – Waub Rice
I’m Finding My Talk – Rebecca Thomas
7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga – David A. Robertson
Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story – David A. Robertson
Amik Loves School – Katherena Vermette
I Can Make This Promise – Christine Day
Up Ghost River – Edmund Metatawabin
