CAI commemorates Indigenous History Month
Toronto, June 21, 2021 — In honour of Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Canadian Arab Institute (CAI) acknowledges and recognises Indigenous communities’ hardships, triumphs, achievements, and leadership across the country.
The Canadian Arab Institute is composed of volunteers with a variety of intersecting identities. Whether we immigrated to this land by choice, by force, by displacement, or were born here in subsequent generations, we recognize that by being here as settlers and immigrants, we are bound to the treaties of this land. As settlers, Arabs must acknowledge that they have benefited from this land, and they must vow to work alongside Indigenous communities to protect this land for generations to come.
This year is devoted to the missing children, their families, and survivors of residential schools. The discovery of the mass grave location at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, where 215 children are interred, and at the Brandon Indian Residential School, where 104 children are interred, coincides with this month's remembrance. This revelation has startled and saddened us, and we stand with the Tk'emlps te Secwépemc people, Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation and all Indigenous communities who are mourning.
We recognize the great pain and erasure that Canada's residential schools and other colonial systems and practices have caused. CAI invites all settlers, Arab and non-Arab, to join us as we pause to think and begin the effort required to sow the seeds for change.
We continue to support Indigenous leaders’ calls for Canada to advance the recommendations highlighted in The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
In order to further create awareness among the Arab-Canadian community, we have put together a series of resources related to decolonial work, justice for Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous history. We encourage all Arabs in Canada to explore and share the resources and donate to Indigenous-run organizations committed to justice for all Indigenous communities.
For those that may need counselling or support, the Indian Residential School survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is available 24/7. Call 1-800-721-0066 or the 24/hr crisis line 1-866-925-4419.
#EveryChildMatters #NIHM2021
Access our resource guide here!
About The Canadian Arab Institute
The Canadian Arab Institute is a national nonpartisan organization that focuses on issues and interests of the Canadian Arab community through research, policy, programming and community engagement. CAI celebrates and encourages Arab Canadians' participation in all social, political, cultural and economic aspects of Canadian society.
Press Contact: Shireen Salti, Executive Director, shireen@canadianarabinstitute.org, T: 647-425-7970