01/10/2024
Today marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day we remember the thousands of Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families; stripped of their languages, identity and cultures; subjected to physical and s*xual abuse; and, in many cases, never made it home. Many were murdered or died due to the horrific conditions in Residential Schools, their families left with unanswered questions and unmarked graves. We remember the Residential School system not as a horrific outlier in the history of our country, but as part of an ongoing process of colonization that has and continues to harm Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations.
As we reflect on the brutal legacy of Residential Schools and colonialism more broadly, Intersections aims to bring attention to how this violence is gendered, uniquely impacting Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Though Residential Schools have been abolished, violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people continues. The crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing colonial violence, racism, and exploitation that disproportionately affect these communities.
Reconciliation is not a symbolic gesture—it is an ongoing responsibility. Intersections wants to emphasize that as long as Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are targets of violence and oppression, we must remain committed to confronting colonial systems.
If you are looking to learn more, you can explore the following resources:
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Assembly of First Nations
- Native Women’s Association of Canada
They all have publications and resources about a range of topics affecting Indigenous women including the MMIWG2S crisis
Reflecting on the horrors of Residential Schools and colonial violence can be difficult and triggering for some people. If you are looking for resources or support, you can explore Jack.org ‘s Indigenous Resources, which is a list of a range of resources for Indigenous youth, curated by Indigenous youth.