Truth and Reconciliation Resources

Last week, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children buried at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

This national tragedy must be acknowledged.

As noted in the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the City of Calgary’s White Goose Flying Report, Calgary Public Library has an obligation to share the truth about residential schools and the ongoing, intergenerational trauma they caused.

June is National Indigenous History Month, and the Library has planned a range of programs and events. In advance of our opening ceremony on Friday, June 4, we will be sharing information and resources about residential schools on our social media and website. I encourage you to read these materials, ask questions, and learn.

We will also be sharing mental wellness and community resources to support those who have been personally impacted by residential schools.

Learning the truth is an important first step to healing our community and we hope to honour all residential school victims and their families through this work.

Sarah Meilleur
Interim CEO

Links and Resources

Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Published in 2015, this summary report from the Federal Truth and Reconcilation Commission includes details on the history and legacy of residential schools as well as 94 Calls to Action.   

White Goose Flying: A Report to Calgary City Council on the Indian Residential School Truth and Reconciliation

The Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee reviewed the 94 Calls to Action from the Federal Truth and Reconciliation Commission to determine which are actionable by Calgary's municipal government. The results are Calls to Action identified in this White Goose Flying report and include local context and alignments.

Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

This digital resource has Indigenous perspectives shared through maps, artwork, history, and culture. You can find more information about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It was created for Grades 5 and up. 

Library Booklists

Titles recommended in these lists help continue the conversation around truth and reconciliation.

Residential Schools: Books for Children

Residential Schools: Books for Teens

Residential Schools: Books for Adults

Orange Shirt Day 2020

Orange Shirt Day

Indigenous Canadian History

Support systems and resources

Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line

This phone line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience. Call 1-866-925-4419.

Elbow River Healing Lodge

The Elbow River Healing Lodge offers a full range of primary care services and visiting specialists to First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit people and their families.