Connexions Resource Centre - Satellite Offices
Visits by appointment only
Shawville: 530, rue Main, Shawville, Qc, J0X 2Y0
Wakefield: 721, chemin Riverside, Wakefield, QC J0X 3G0
819-557-0615 •

Support & Resources for Indigenous Peoples and their Allies

Support & Resources for Indigenous Peoples and their Allies

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament.

Wear orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its calls to action

There were 140 federally run residential schools in Canada that operated between 1867 and 1996. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the intergenerational impacts of harm caused. Their efforts culminated in:

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission ran from 2008 to 2015 and provided those directly or indirectly affected by the legacy of the residential schools policy with an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. The Commission released its final report detailing 94 calls to action. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has become the permanent archive for the statements, documents and other materials the Commission gathered. Its library and collections, as well as its National Student Memorial Register, are the foundation for ongoing learning and research.

Information taken from the Government of Canada.

Crisis Helplines & Mental Health Support

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada.

Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention.

Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat (Please use Google Chrome).

Kids Help Phone | Canada-Wide
Indigenous Peoples can connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder, when available, by texting FIRST NATIONS, INUIT or METIS to: 686868  for youth and 741741  for adults 

Canada Suicide Prevention Service 24-Hour Crisis Line
Available 24/7 at 1-833-456-456, or text 45645 (4PM – 12AM EST) 

Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec | Quebec
Available 24/7 at 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553)

Healing in Colour | Canada Wide
Offers BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) access to therapy, as well as a a curated list of resources that support healing.

Network for Aboriginal Mental Health Research – Mental Health Programs for Aboriginal People in Canada | Canada-Wide.  An online, searchable database that includes mental health resources for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) | Canada-Wide
The AFN is a national advocacy organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada, which includes more than 900,000 people living in 634 First Nation communities and in cities and towns across the country.
Mental Health and Wellness in First Nations and Inuit Communities | Government of Canada
Offers a wide range of mental health and wellness resources.

Educational Resources & Special Recognition Celebrations

A must-share with your child and youth: Spirit Bear’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada created by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada.  You can also visit their website for tons of Spirit Bear resources.

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, over 400 radio broadcasters across Canada, including Bell Media, Corus Entertainment Inc., Rogers Sports & Media, Stingray Radio, and more, join together in an unprecedented collaboration to amplify, elevate, listen to, and learn from Indigenous voices with #ADAYTOLISTEN on Wednesday, June 30. In partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF)A DAY TO LISTEN is dedicated to sharing stories from Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, elders, musicians, and teachers throughout the day from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

June is National Indigenous History Month. Here’s a great selection of books for younger readers by First Nations, Métis and Inuit authors to help you celebrate with your little one.  June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, an opportunity to highlight the fundamental contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Take some time to learn about different Indigenous cultures, traditions and realities.

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls.  National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: Full Report, Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.  Additional resources:

First Nationa’s Water Crisis: Safe drinking water for First Nations