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Residential School System – support & information

Last Updated September 20, 2023

As more news stories are reporting multiple discoveries of unmarked grave sites at former Residential School sites across Canada, we at the library continue to learn more about available sources of information and will post them here.

Crisis Support & Healing

  • KUU-US Crisis Line Society in BC provides a First Nations and Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Toll-free at 1-800-588-8717.
  • Indian Residential School Crisis Line -a national support line for anyone affected by their experience at residential schools, and those who are triggered by the latest reports. 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
  • Indian Residential School Survivor Society – The IRSSS has a wealth of experience delivering wellness and healing services to Indian Residential School Survivors and intergenerational Survivors throughout BC.
  • Survivor Access – The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) was created to preserve the memory and legacy of Canada’s Residential School system. The NCTR will ensure that Survivors and their families have access to their own history. Access your residential school records, or request a copy of your statement given to the TRC here.

Information: Background and Context

  • CBC provides an overview here.
  • Documentaries are available through the National Film Board.
  • The system contributed to the Intergenerational Trauma (link to Canadian Encyclopedia) that impacts communities today.

Take action

Learn more

  • Read the best-selling memoir, From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way by Jesse Thistle (2020) discusses his lived experience of trauma due to family history of the residential school system – library holding link here. Also see more Booklists below.
  • List of books for kids about Residential Schools – almost all are available in the NPL catalogue.

Parent/Teacher Resource

  • Talking to Kids about Residential Schools (YouTube video)- Monique Gray Smith discusses how to talk to kids about Residential Schools, but also how to prepare yourself as the adult to have these conversations. The video is for parents, grandparents, educators…anyone really with children in their lives. Also included are a number of author tips of books to read, podcasts, etc. to deepen and continue your learning.