The Anishinabek Nation is receiving provincial funding for several initiatives to help educate and inform the public about the history and legacy of the residential school system in its territory.
The $412,000 will also help survivors living in the 39 Anishinabek Nation member First Nations share their stories.
Commemoration, research and information sharing are being funded, along with education, outreach, and support and advocacy for survivors, their families, and communities.
“We commend the Ontario Government’s efforts to support Indian Residential School (IRS) initiatives for Anishinabek communities,” says Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe. “This investment will support important public education components of the history, legacy, and impacts that residential schools have had on our Nation. Most importantly, it will help encourage survivors and families to come together to share their stories of healing, strength, and survival.”
The money will support the implementation of a multi-media campaign that will create programming to combat the negative intergenerational effects caused by residential schools while promoting healing and reconciliation.
This funding will also help identify the current resources available within the Anishinabek Nation to respond to the mental health and trauma-related impact of ongoing and future IRS investigations and will help address the gaps survivors continue to face.