In late 1946, Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas repeatedly contacted the federal Minister responsible for Indian Affairs (then Mines and Resources Minister J.A Glen) about First Nations children from Moose Mountain Reserve (near Carlyle, Saskatchewan) who had been forcibly removed by the RCMP and sent to the Brandon Indian Residential School in Manitoba.
"First Nations children are running away from Brandon Residential School and I fear that some will die in the wintertime. They'll be frozen to death. You need to do something about it".
His words are a stark reminder that the suffering of Indigenous children was not unkowable. There were people who saw it, spoke about it, and demanded that something be done.
Today, we have a responsibility to listen to the voices of Survivors and their families, learn the truth of Canada's history, and ensure that the experiences of those who were taken from their homes and culture are neither forgotten nor diminished.
As the Orange Shirt Society reminds us, Every child matters - a message rooted in the story of Phyllis Webstad and the lived experiences of residential school Survivors.
We remember.
We listen.
We learn.
We commit to reconciliation.
Read more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
Government of Canada - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
It is with profound sorrow and immeasurable sadness that the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation mourns the passing of our President, Irene Mathyssen — a cherished colleague, a steadfast advocate for social justice, and a woman whose life was distinguished by an extraordinary and selfless devotion to the betterment of others and her community.
From all of us at the Foundation, we wish you a joyful Pride month filled with celebration and love. As we celebrate queer love, joy and success we must also take the time to reflect on the history that has led us to where we are today.
The Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation mourns the passing of Stephen Lewis with profound sorrow and deep gratitude for a life of extraordinary service. In Stephen Lewis, we have lost not only a towering figure in Canadian public life, but a giant among progressives, an intellectual of rare brilliance, and a moral voice whose clarity and conviction helped shape generations of thought and action in pursuit of social justice.
