Indigenous cultures have been preserved and passed down for generations through oral history and traditions. Storytelling is the fibre that connects us all to one another, and for many survivors of the residential school system, healing begins with storytelling. That’s why more than 15 years ago, survivors from Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Nation in Dawson City, Yukon, came together as K’änächá (Taking Care of Ourselves) to document their memories and experiences.

There is no single action that can erase the pain felt by residential school survivors. There is no amount of time that can heal families who had a child that never returned home. Healing is a long, multifaceted process that requires empathetic listening, relationships built on trust and respect, and collaborative efforts to create strong and resilient foundations. Many Indigenous communities have turned to their sacred traditions to facilitate the process.

The wisdom held by Elders and shared with the youngest generations is the bridge between past and present, the tether tying together ancient traditions and modern culture. This wisdom is vital to preserving generational knowledge, yet too often is lost before it can be passed down. Cowessess First Nation has lost much of its history, leaving a painful gap in the record of community traditions, culture and identity. Today, the stories and memories of seniors, or kêhtê-ayak, offer a vital link to ancestors whose teachings still guide the Nation.

The journey of faith is one unique to each individual, shaped by life experiences, personal beliefs, values and culture. A one-size-fits-all approach can be ineffective at meeting the needs of someone walking their own path. This is especially true for Canada’s three distinct Indigenous groups; First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

The St. Anne’s Christmas Bazaar has become a household event in Ottawa over the last decade. This annual marketplace of local vendors, holiday festivities, children’s corners and a silent auction, has Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members alike looking forward to gathering in celebration and holiday spirit each year. As the St. Anne’s Christmas Bazaar is set to return in 2025 for its 11th year, St. Anne’s is looking to give back and recognize those who have made this event a success.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) oversees 39 elementary schools and serves eight counties throughout urban and rural areas of Ontario. Despite the sizeable area the CDSBEO covers, many rural schools still struggle to connect with Indigenous communities, reach youth and provide culturally grounded education.

From the communities that shape us to the families that guide us, our sense of identity is formed from our immediate surroundings. For Indigenous youth, these formative pillars have faced cultural erosion. The loss of language, oral history and traditional roles, particularly those of Clan Mothers, has left many disconnected from their identity.

Language, storytelling, traditional foods and shared culture connect Indigenous Peoples to their ancestors. Passed down from generation to generation, Indigenous traditions have persevered despite the systemic challenges their peoples have faced. For many, the path to healing begins by creating spaces where trauma can be acknowledged, resilience can be celebrated and knowledge can be shared.

Once again, the educational documentary “The Cost of Silence – #USTOO” is returning to make an even greater impact. This documentary features two editions and amplifies the voices of childhood sexual abuse survivors, particularly male survivors, who have suffered from inaction, silence and isolation for too long.

Every child deserves an engaging, stimulating and supportive learning environment. In fact, studies show that students not reading at grade level by Grade 3 are four times more likely not to graduate high school. Indigenous children are much more at risk of falling into this statistic than any other demographic due to a myriad of factors, including the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, discrimination within classrooms, limited or no access to school and more.