No Pride in Genocide
In light of another announcement of unmarked burial sites from the Residential Institutions in our country, we, the Women’s Council, Gaagiidoo-Ikwewag of Grand Council Treaty #3, issue a public statement regarding Canada Day across our country.
We call upon all leadership, Prime Minister Trudeau and Canadians alike to stand with us in solidarity against the injustice. July 1st is not a day to celebrate; there is no pride in genocide. We ask for you to use this day as a National Day of Mourning for the children who did not make it home. Members of our Council have attended these institutions. Our people, our children, have been deeply impacted by colonialism. With each new announcement, our people, our warriors, our traditional knowledge keepers, are re-victimized.
We today, still face the injustices of what this country has done to our people and continues to do with the ongoing crises of Nibi, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Unmarked Mass Burial Sites. We, Gaagiidoo-Ikwewag, will continue to advocate and use our voices for those who have been silenced.
If you want to learn more about the history of our people, we recommend reading the 231 Calls to Action, Final Report – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (www.mmiwg-ffada.ca) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – 94 Calls to Action (www.trc.ca) as well as visiting www.ravenreads.org, with books by Canadian authors on Indigenous history.
If you or someone you know needs support during this time, please contact the Residential School Survivors Society at 1-800-271-0066 or the IRS Unit Grand Council Treaty 3 at 1-800-665-3384 or 807-548-4212.
We send our prayers, love and support to those who are grieving.
Without acknowledgement, there is not reconciliation.
Miigwetch,
Gaagiidoo-Ikwewag
