Eliminating Racial Discrimination – March Special Message
Posted on March 1, 2023
The end of winter hosts special awareness days for positive actions based on the reflection of themes of sharing, inclusivity, and safety. The awareness for the month of March is about the potential for and prevention of Self-Harm. This coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is acknowledged on March 21st.
First Nations within what is currently known as Canada, are very familiar with effects of racial discrimination. Generations of First Nations have and continue to suffer from the policies and systems put in place by the Canadian federal government: the British North America Act, the Indian Act, the Residential School Regulations, Treaties, Land Claim Agreements and the 1982 Constitution. A lack of knowledge and awareness of First Nations Peoples continues to contribute to racism and the invisibility of our peoples. This is not acceptable. Education of true First Nations histories, worldviews and ways of being is one way to begin eliminating racial discrimination within Canada. The Legacy of Hope is an organization in Canada that has a mandate to provide supports for implementing true First Nation histories within Canadian provincial schools and First Nation community schools.
“The Legacy of Hope Foundation is a national Indigenous-led, charitable organization founded in 2000 with the goal of educating and raising awareness about the history and many legacies of the Residential School System. These include the direct and ongoing impacts on First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Survivors, their communities, and their descendants. The mission of the Legacy of Hope is to educate towards creating just and equal relationships of reconciliation and healing for all Canadians, to expand awareness of and access to the rich legacy of the contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the world, and to make know the histories of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including histories of injustice.” (Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center)
Classroom resources for teaching the history of Canada’s Indigenous People are available, free of charge, for all levels of education. For more information and to obtain these resources contact the Legacy of Hope Foundation at: www.legacyofhope.ca
FNEAA Upcoming Events
November 8 & 9, 2023. SAVE THE DATE – FNEAA National Gathering Conference, Winnipeg, MB.
March 7th – 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST – Gathering Circle Townhall “Two-eyed Seeing”.
References
Legacy of Hope Foundation (n.d.). Collections. Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center. www.collections.irshdc.ubc.ca