We know that Indigenous Nations and communities are grieving. Although genuine action is required to truly reconcile our past, Canada as a nation continually fails to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and to the Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
These losses are a reminder of the atrocities that Indigenous Peoples have experienced, and the intergenerational trauma that continues today. As an organization that counts Indigenous artists among our board, staff, members, partners, and collaborators, we call on the federal government to carry out the Calls to Action without further delay.
CARFAC aims to serve all visual artists from coast to coast to coast, and our work involves advocating for the rights of artists at all levels of government. We are committed to advocating for policy that strongly positions the rights and freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, and for public funding programs that are intended to improve representation and autonomy for Indigenous artists. In turn, we call on all artists and cultural leaders to confront our terrible history, to read and respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the Calls to Justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Contact your MP and encourage them to support the Calls.
Those of us who are settlers in this country cannot know the pain that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples have dealt with, but we promise to support your voices, and stand beside you.
Support resources for residential school survivors and their families:
First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness, 24/7 Help Line:
1 (855) 242-3310 Phone and chat counselling is available in English and French. On request, phone counselling is also available in Cree, Ojibway, or Inuktitut.
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society:
Toll free line: 1 (800) 721-0066
24-hour crisis line for residential school survivors: 1 (866) 925-4419
Alberta: 1 (888) 495-6588
British Columbia: 1 (877) 477-0775
Territories: 1 (800) 464-8106
Manitoba: 1 (866) 818-3505
Saskatchewan: 1 (866) 250-1529
Ontario: 1 (888) 301-6426
Quebec: 1 (877) 583-2965
Atlantic Provinces: 1 (866) 414-8111
Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645. Available 24/7 in English and French.
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or Text a crisis responder at 686868 Available 24/7 in English and French
Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266
CARFAC Ontario News 