Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
A Knock on the Door
Knowing the historical backdrop of residential schooling and its legacy is essential to the work of reconciliation. In the past, agents of the Canadian state knocked on the doors of Indigenous families to take the children to school. Now, the Survivors have shared their truths and knocked back. It is time for Canadians to open […]
Indigenous Peoples Day at the Centre
June 21, 10 AM – 4 PM Join us in the gallery space for a day of refreshments, crafts and films. Staff will be available to answer questions about Centre’s work and the Indian residential school system, and to demonstrate the interactive technology. What’s happening Snacks and refreshments provided Crafting and colouring supplies in the […]
Indigenous History Month: See What’s Happening at UBC
June commemorates Indigenous History Month in Canada. The month encourages people to learn about, appreciate and acknowledge the rich history, heritage, resilience, contributions and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across the country.
Ubyssey: ‘It’s not some facade’: Four years after rocky opening, IRSHDC makes strides to serve residential school, intergenerational survivors
Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, Academic Director, and Kristen Kozar, Digital Collections Specialist, comment on the impacts of and maturation of the Centre’s team, activities, and services.
Globe and Mail: Ottawa appoints special interlocutor for residential school burial sites
Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, law professor at UBC comments on the appointment of a special interlocutor to ensure culturally appropriate treatment of unmarked graves and burial sites at former residential schools.
Statement Regarding UBC Senate sub-committee’s recommendation to rescind the honorary degree granted to Bishop John O’Grady, former residential schools’ Principal
Following a year-long review process, a special sub-committee to the UBC Vancouver Senate Tributes Committee has recommended that the Senate rescind its approval of the Honorary Degree awarded to the late Bishop John Fergus O’Grady by the university in 1986. The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre fully supports the sub-committee’s decision, and stands […]
Statement on the anniversary of discovery of unmarked graves at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc
In acknowledgement and commemoration of the anniversary date of the discovery of unmarked burials at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre extends its heartfelt condolences, thoughts and support to residential school Survivors and their families, the people of the Tk’emlúps Nation, and all Indigenous people across Canada. As ongoing investigations […]
Statement about the mass shooting in Buffalo
The Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre expresses its deepest sympathies and heartfelt sorrows for the victims, both direct and indirect, of the mass shooting that took place in a supermarket in Buffalo, NY, on May 14. “This was a senseless, hateful, racism-fuelled crime,” says the Centre’s Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. “And sadly, […]
The Province: B.C. introduces ‘monumental’ anti-racism legislation
In Plain Sight report by Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, Academic Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and law professor at UBC cited in article addressing B.C.’s anti-racism legislation.
Globe and Mail: B.C. introduces law to collect data on race
Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, Academic Director of the Indian Residential School History & Dialogue Centre, professor at the Allard School of Law, and author of the In Plain Sight report comments on traditional data from the federal census.