Canada renews focus on residential school survivors and reconciliation

The Prime Minister’s statement marked the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, and called for continued action on reconciliation.

• More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were separated from their families and communities and sent to residential schools, the statement said. More than 6,600 survivors have shared their experiences with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• The government said the Commission’s 94 Calls to Action remain a guide for its work, including efforts on health and education, Indigenous languages and cultures, water and housing, and justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.
• Residential school survivors can call 1-866-925-4419 for 24/7 support. The Hope for Wellness Help Line is available to Indigenous people in Canada at 1-855-242-3310 or at hopeforwellness.ca. Phone and online support are available 24/7 in English and French; interpreters are available for Cree, Ojibwe and Inuktitut.