Quick Escape 
The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation offers us a moment to pause and reflect on settlers’ treaty obligations to care for and share land. We must also acknowledge historic and ongoing colonial violence experienced by Indigenous peoples.
This year, we are highlighting YWCA Canada’s call to the Government of Canada to implement the 11 recommendations released in the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples report called “Missing Records, Missing Children” to improve access to residential school records.
Members of Indigenous communities are forced to travel and search through paper documents to find out what happened to their loved ones. Many record holders, including provincial archives, museums, police departments and universities had no legal responsibilities to share their files to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and many are still missing. These searches require intervention on the part of the Government of Canada to make the records accessible.
You can read all 11 recommendations made by the Committee here.
It is everyone’s responsibility to create safety and belonging for Indigenous people including women, Two-Spirit people, children and families in our programs and spaces and to work toward the role we as individuals and institutions can play in implementing the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the 231 Calls for Justice outlined in Reclaiming Power and Place: The report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
We must address past harm in order to move forward.
Additionally, we would like to highlight Indigenous-led organizations in Hamilton who provide essential services to Indigenous communities:
De dwa da dehs nye provides heath services that are relationship-based and client-directed. They uniquely offer complimentary Indigenous and western medicines.
Niwasa Kendwaaswin Teg is a multi-service Indigenous organization which provides services and supports in safe spaces for Indigenous people across the life cycle that are rooted in culture and language.
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre is a multi-service agency which provides wrap-around supports to Indigenous communities in a culturally safe environment.
Native Women’s Centre provides shelter, housing and community support services for women who are experiencing crisis due to family violence, homelessness or conflict with the law.
Sacajawea advocates for and operates affordable housing for Indigenous women-led families.
We are fortunate to be able to learn from and work with these organizations and others who support Indigenous communities every day.
