2010-2011 Advocacy and public information projects

• Advocacy and Communications for the Indian Residential Schools Unit
• "Outreach"
• Indian Residential Schools
• IAP Outreach/Support Activities
• Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Advocacy and Public Information Program
• National Intergenerational Impacts Conference
• The Atlantic Policy Congress Advocacy & Public Information Program
• Residential School Settlement Agreement
• Journey Forward
• Wedamoshin (Tell Me) Project
• "Healing Happens: National Day of Healing and Reconciliation"
• National Forgiven Summit
• The Elder and Youth Gathering on Reconciliation and Hope
• "Exhibitions, Education and Outreach Program"
• Projects of Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services dealing with Indian Residential Schools issues
• Métis Survivors of Indian Residential Schools
• Culturally Relevant Gender Based Models of Reconciliation
• 2010 - 2011 Indian Residential School Survivors Society
• Renewed Relations: Creating a model for healing and reconciliation from Indian Residential Schools

Project Lead: Assembly of First Nations
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN), formed in 1982 (previously the National Indian Brotherhood), is a national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. The AFN is proposing an advocacy and communications strategy to ensure the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the Independent Assessment Process as well as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commemoration are understood and accessible to all eligible former Indian Residential School students and their families. The primary audience and priority will be former IRS students and families in remote and isolated communities.

Project Lead: Dene Nation
Locations: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

The Dene Nation is an Aboriginal Governmental Organization serving the 29 Dene Chiefs and Communities in Denendeh, Northwest Territories. Dene Nations' mandate is to advocate, inform, and coordinate on Dene issues. The Dene Nation will organize and deliver five community information sessions and support to Dene communities, Indian Residential School (IRS) survivors and front-line workers relating to the IRS Settlement Agreement. The Dene nation will particularly focus on former IRS survivors not yet reached, such as the homeless and incarcerated.

Project Lead: Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Indian Residential School Program's Vision is to provide information, education, support and access to information for former students of Indian Residential Schools (IRS). This year's funding will expand outreach to include those survivors who are homeless, incarcerated in Federal or Provincial institutions or otherwise disadvantaged with respect to information about and participation in the IRSSA; provide outreach in remote and isolated communities and provide survivors with information on the IRSSA; and promote healing and reconciliation by helping Canadians to understand the IRSSA and the impact that the legacy of the IRS has had on First Nations communities.

Truth and Reconciliation National Event Preparation Project Lead: Inuvailuit Regional Corporation
Location: Inuvik, Northwest Territories

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation was established by the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, also known as the Western Arctic Claim. Funding will help reach Inuvialuit former Indian Residential School (IRS) students who may require assistance with the Independent Assessment Process (IAP), and to provide supports to Inuvialuit former students to allow them to participate in the IAP knowledgeably and safely; provide former IRS students in remote communities with access to estate and legal planning services; and promote healing and reconciliation through the activities of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Project Lead: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

The primary objective of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is to properly inform Manitoba First Nation of initiatives, programs, services and/or benefits resulting from the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement regardless of where they reside within the province of Manitoba. For the 2010-2011 fiscal year, funding will help AMC inform communities, and in particular Indian Residential School Survivors, of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Commemoration Initiatives, and the Independent Assessment Process.

Project Lead: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Funding will go towards the National Intergenerational Impacts Conference. The purpose of the conference will be to identify and understand intergenerational impacts caused by Indian Residential School so that potential solutions may be identified.

Project Lead: The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat
Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

The Atlantic Policy Congress (APC), was federally incorporated in 1995 and is tasked with conducting policy research and advocacy for 38 Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu chiefs, nations and communities in Eastern Atlantic Canada. APC will particularly focus on former IRS students not yet reached, such as those located in mental health institutions, the homeless and the incarcerated.

Project Lead: Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Locations: Iqaluit, Nunavut

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) assists Inuit who are former Indian Residential School students to better understand and access programs under the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Independent Assessment Process. NTI will reach out to underserved target groups such as urban and homeless Inuit and incarcerated and isolated populations by providing information on compensation and commemoration initiatives under the IRSSA.

Project Lead: Pauktuutit Inuit women of Canada
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Pauktuutit is the national representative organization of all Inuit women in Canada. The goal of this project is to focus on providing information on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement to former Inuit residential schools survivors and to promote and facilitate Inuit healing and reconciliation from the legacy of the residential schools experience.

Project Lead: Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) represents 49 First Nations communities within the territory of the James Bay Treaty 9 and the Ontario portions of Treaty 5. The "Wedamoshin (Tell Me)" Project will provide resources and information on an ongoing basis to NAN communities and Indian Residential School survivors on residential school issues; information to residential school survivors within the NAN territory who are still unfamiliar with the Independent Assessment Process and the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); and assist residential school survivors who are interested in actively participating TRC national and regional events.

Project Lead: Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Locations: Edmonton, Alberta

The Native Counselling Services of Alberta was established in 1970. The "Healing Happens: National Day of Healing and Reconciliation" (NDHR) initiative will form partnerships and support initiatives designed to educate Canadians about the collective history with respect to residential schools and the policies affecting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people relations and other ethnic groups; explore healing and reconciliation issues and develop information resources that describe the impact historical policy implementation has had on Aboriginal individuals, families and communities and other ethnic groups; distribute information and resources that will increase community capacity to create healing and reconciliation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples, and between Aboriginal peoples and other ethnic groups; develop and distribute promotional materials to community organizations throughout Canada to enhance their participation in the NDHR campaign; support, encourage and facilitate the process for community organizations throughout Canada to celebrate NDHR each year by hosting an event.

Project Lead: Gathering Nations International
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Gathering Nations International is a First Nations founded, non-profit corporation established for the purpose of bringing reconciliation, healing and unity in people, nations, churches and governments. Funding will help to bring First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people face to face with representatives from the Government of Canada to give and receive forgiveness, and to celebrate that freedom together; to educate the public not only about the negative impacts of Indian Residential Schools (IRS), but also the positive future that is possible; to encourage sharing diverse viewpoints on IRS issues; to share stories of forgiveness, healing, and hope; to contribute to the restoration of Aboriginal families through a shared positive, intergenerational experience; and to create a positive experience shared between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal families and people.

Project Lead: Gathering Nations International
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Funding will help to rebuild broken relationships between elders, youth, and families; reinforce cultural identity of youth; promote an appreciation of heritage to positively affect self-esteem; acknowledge that descendents of survivors were impacted by Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and have a place in reconciliation efforts; and provide information and support resources related to IRS.

Project Lead: Legacy of Hope
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

The Legacy of Hope is a national Aboriginal charitable organization whose purpose is to educate and create awareness and understanding about the legacy of Indian Residential Schools (IRS), including the effects and intergenerational impacts on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and to continue to support the ongoing healing process of IRS Survivors. Funding will go towards fostering awareness among young Canadians of the history and legacy of the IRS system in Canada and the issues it engenders; supporting Survivors and providing them with a private, respectful and culturally-appropriate forum with which to share their stories; providing information on available health supports; creating exhibitions and educational materials that communicate experiences; and in providing information to communities on best practices in healing and de-colonization. Funding will also be used to ensure that Survivors have a voice in education, to build on existing educational materials as well as create innovative new resources and delivering mechanisms.

Project Lead: Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission
Location: Wendake, Quebec

Founded in 1994, the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission assists Quebec and Labrador First Nations and Inuit communities and organizations in defending, maintaining and exercising their inherent rights in the area of health and social services, and in developing and delivering these programs. Funding will go towards promoting healing and reconciliation while informing communities, organizations and Indian Residential School (IRS) survivors of all components of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement; and pursuing outreach into remote communities, schools and with IRS survivors who are homeless or are incarcerated in federal or provincial institutions. Funding will also be used to develop, promote and distribute the documentary named: "The Heritage of the Québec Indian Residential Schools" as well as develop a museum exhibition from this work, to promote the truth and healing on this subject with all Canadians.

Project Lead: Métis National Council
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Since 1983, the Métis National Council (MNC) has represented the Métis Nation nationally and internationally. The broad objectives of the Métis National Council with regard to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement are to engage in an information sharing process within the Métis community and with Métis survivors to contribute to the enhancement of benefits to eligible Métis recipients. Funding will go towards maintaining and updating MNC's interactive Métis Residential Schools' portal, held within the Métis National Council website; and organizing and assisting Métis survivors and family members of survivors in Advocacy and Public Information which will ultimately contribute to the ongoing healing and reconciliation process.

Project Lead: Native Women's Association of Canada
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Funding will help to reach the large number of Aboriginal women incarcerated in federal and provincial institutions to advise them of their potential benefits under the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement and to attempt a modest scale reconciliation that could be used as a model or could be a best practice that would influence change in the correctional system and to provide better outcomes for Aboriginal women.

Project Lead: Indian Residential Schools Survivor Society
Location: Vancouver, British Colombia

The Indian Residential Schools Survivor Society (IRSSS) was created in 1995 as a subcommittee of the First Nations Summit under the title Provincial Residential School Project and in 2001, was incorporated as a non-profit society, to fully serve all Indian Residential School (IRS) survivors in British Colombia. Funding will help IRSSS continue its mandate of providing information, response and healing workshops to IRS survivors, communities and the general public. IRSSS will focus particularly on preparing for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission national, regional and community events and the sexual abuse issues that may be brought forward to the TRC by survivors, as well as how to address intergenerational issues. In addition, IRSSS will continue its work in informing the Canadian public about the history and impacts of IRS, will continue to dialogue with key groups such as the Canadian Jewish Congress, the Japanese Canadians, the Chinese Benevolent Society, as well as high schools, post-secondary institutions and churches on issues of truth-telling, truth-listening, sharing of histories (both common and divergent) and on how all can participate in the Truth and Reconciliation process.

Project Lead: Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee
Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

The Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee provides communities in Sioux Lookout and North western Ontario with a forum for building, nurturing and sustaining relationships among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Funding will go towards developing a handbook for communities interested in exploring the legacy of Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and understanding the IRS Settlement Agreement. The handbook will guide these communities in the process of creating safe spaces for dialogue so that healing and reconciliation can be nurtured and sustained.