Today is Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today and every day, we at the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS) encourage our community of staff, volunteers, members, and families to reflect upon the impacts of residential schools and colonization on the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people worldwide; it does not discriminate against race, gender, education, or social class. It is not caused by trauma or poor parenting. It is a result of physical and biochemical changes in the brain. And the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people within Canada also touch many of the families with whom we work.
For nearly 40 years, BCSS has been supporting, helping, and advocating for Indigenous families to help them access the information and resources necessary to care for loved ones who live with serious mental illness. Today, BCSS remains committed to addressing inequalities within the healthcare system. Our staff and volunteers remain committed to advocating for families and helping them get the resources and information they need when they need it.
As we take the day to reflect upon and work towards increasing our understanding of how residential schools and the colonization of Indigenous peoples have impacted families, we share with you some of the resources we will be reviewing on our own journeys for truth and reconciliation.
Online Resources and Toolkits
- Orange Shirt Day
- Reconciliation Canada
- BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
- Yellowhead Institute
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society
- Decolonization Toolkit
- Assembly of First Nations
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Métis National Council
- Friendship Centre
- Native Land
Books
- 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph
- Our Story: Aboriginal voices on Canada’s past by various authors
- My conversations with Canadians by Lee Maracle
- From the Ashes: My story of being Metis, homeless and finding my way by Jesse Thistle
- A Knock on the Door published in collaboration with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Videos
- Lecture by Tamara Starblanket, Dean of Academics at the Native Education College and author of Suffer the Little Children: Genocide, Indigenous Nations and the Canadian State
Support
- Hope for Wellness Help Line: Online chat or phone line available at 1-855-242-3310
- Kids Help Phone: Online chat or phone line available at 1-800-668-6868
- Family Survivors Circle
- National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Toll-free Support Phone Line: 1-844-413-6649
- Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
- Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program
- Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society: 1-800-721-0066