The doors firmly closed on the last residential school less than 30 years ago, in 1996. By then it was much too late. A countless number of Indigenous children had passed through the system, suffering at the hands of these institutions for more than one hundred years. The devastating effects on communities, cultures and traditions and the lasting impacts of widespread trauma are still felt today.
In ways not seen since before colonialization, Indigenous Peoples are making sweeping changes, creating new opportunities and building unprecedented hope for the future. They are regaining control of their communities, their spirits and taking charge of their own economic development. This is being led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers determined to pass down their traditional wisdom to the youth and guide their communities.
A Vision Quest involves an exploration and education of the spiritual and cultural legacies left behind by Indigenous ancestors, taught by those remaining today. They weave Indigenous values, traditions and culture together and provide opportunities for people from varied backgrounds to learn, work and participate in ceremony. They aim to revitalize culture, instill self-pride in Indigenous youth and help heal intergenerational trauma.
Pow Wows are Indigenous celebrations where families, friends and communities come together to enjoy traditional music, dances, regalia and food. They transcend generations, bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together to share in culture, celebrate ancestral traditions and provide hope for the future.
Reconciliation is a journey that requires Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to walk along a path together, working towards a future where Indigenous rights, traditions and cultures are equally valued, celebrated and respected. It requires non-Indigenous people to commit to being allies and educate themselves about the history of Canada, the systemic and unjust treatment Indigenous Peoples have been dealt at the hands of government institutions, and the oppression that continues today.
After centuries of systemic efforts to eliminate traditional practices and ways of life, Indigenous youth still face barriers to community connection, mentorship and opportunities. But each year, more organizations and programs appear across Canada to support young Indigenous Peoples in rebuilding their identity, stoking pride in their indigeneity, strengthening cultural ties and fostering resilience.
Important conversations around revitalizing Indigenous languages are taking place in English, exemplifying the problem at hand. As Elders and Knowledge Keepers grow older and the number of fluent Indigenous language speakers dwindles, it has become more critical to offer immersive and language-first approaches to save traditional dialects.
Indigenous women and girls are the most vulnerable population in Canada. Due to a systemic lack of support, combined with Intergenerational trauma, they are more likely to go missing, more likely to be targets of violent crime and more likely to be exploited. Many enter an ongoing cycle of poverty, struggle and abuse.
The earth beneath our feet has been travelled by our ancestors for countless generations. Seeds have been replanted, grass has withered and regrown, seasons have come and gone, and Indigenous Peoples have continued to protect, care and honour their sacred lands. As modernity and colonization have taken their toll on traditional territories, the Indigenous Peoples of Xa'xtsa First Nation in British Columbia are looking to reclaim their title of stewards of the land.
Stepping through the doors of university for the first time is a daunting experience. Trying to create community in a new environment, with new faces, while navigating post-secondary education is difficult for any young adult. Indigenous students, some of whom come from rural or remote communities, face additional challenges such as struggling to find fellow Indigenous peers, feeling misrepresented through coursework, being misunderstood in class and disconnection from their non-Indigenous classmates.
