Indigenous Resources, Knowledge & Solidarity

Indigenous Resources & Supports

Crisis Supports

IRSSS Emergency Crisis Line

24hr Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society Emergency Crisis Line is currently available 24/7 for those in need of support from the recent announcement.

The Hope for Wellness Help Line

24hr Crisis Line 1-855-242-3310

24/7 Crisis line for culturally competent crisis intervention counselling support for First Nations and Inuit, counselling is available in English, French and, upon request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktut.

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations

Request support via email support@2spirits.org

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations has counselling and Elder supports available upon request, please email support@2spirits.org to request support.

Kid's Youth Line

24hr Crisis Line 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868

The Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 with trained crisis responders and counsellors who are available by text and phone. You can request to speak to an Indigenous crisis responder.

Community Resources

We Matter

We Matter is dedicated to Indigenous youth with programs and supports through numerous community organizations.

SOAHAC

SOAHAC provides a wide range of wellness services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Southwestern Ontario, including traditional healing, mental health and addictions services, and clinical services

Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition

Connect with services and programs available to Indigenous folks in the area.

National Association of Friendship Centres

Access list of all friendship centres from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Find a Friendship Centre in your area.

Non Indigenous Learning & Solidarity Resources

Do Your Own Learning

While reaching out and connecting with individuals is a great way to grow as an ally, it should never be the first step. We all live in a time where information has never been so accessible. A good place to start is to ask yourself: Am I capable of finding out on my own? Google is a powerful tool, while not everything on the internet can be trusted, there are many reputable resources available. Taking the time to do our own research and learning is how we grow as individuals and we start to develop and better our understanding.

Native-Land.ca

Native-Land.ca is an online resource featuring an interactive map allowing all of us to easily look up a region to find out about the traditional territories we find ourselves occupying.

So next time you need to know whose land you are visiting or occupying, look it up first.

Atrocities Against Indigenous Canadians for Dummies

Here you'll find a collection online resources and amazing zines, widen your perspective and knowledge while supporting Indigenous works.

Jordan's Principle

Learn more about Jordan's Principle, a child-first principle to ensure First Nations children get the services they need when they need them. Educate yourself on the history of non-compliance by the government and support advocacy and legal challenges by Indigenous Organizations as they fight to have all children access the care they need.

Solidarity Actions

So, first thing's first!

• Support Indigenous-led initiatives and communities. 
• Respect the autonomy of Indigenous communities.

MMIWG

Denounce and speak out against the violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2S/QI people. Support the MMIW calls to action and the work of the Native Women's Association of Canada (https://www.nwac.ca)

“The hard truth is that we live in a country whose laws and institutions perpetuate violations of fundamental rights, amounting to a genocide against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA [two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual] people.” - Chief Commissioner Marion Buller, National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Final Report : Reclaiming Power and Place (2019)

Land Back

Speak out and Support Land Back Initiatives across the country.

• Educate yourself on what it really means and on the treaty agreements.
• Support Indigenous Land Defenders across the country (educates, inform others, donate to expenses and legal defenses etc.)
• Petition your government and call your elected representatives and ask for Canada to honour the treaties.
• Demand the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples at the table to make decisions alongside the (mostly) non-Indigenous governments that make decisions over our lands, waters, and resources.
• Advocate for defunding the OPP and municipal police in urban centres.
• Work toward municipal goals that centre the needs of Indigenous communities, including affordable living, access to mental health resources, harm reduction, and livable wages. Everyone is better situated to work toward Land Back when their basic needs are being met. 

Contact government officials in your area

While putting pressure on our elected officials to take meaningful action cannot be the only action we take to show our allyship, it is important to continue to call for an end to systemic racism and the annoying persecution of Indigenous peoples across the country.

• End the Water Advisories once and for all! It is unconscionable that in 2021 Indigenous communities do not have access to clean water.
• Immediately implement Jordan's Principle  in the full and proper scope of Jordan's legacy & drop the judicial appeal to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's ruling. 
• To accept the TRC 94 Calls to Action, In light of the tragic discovery, calling to expedite Actions 71-76 which call for the federal government to invest the necessary resources in order to complete and document a nationwide search for the unmarked graves of the estimated 4000+ children who were lost in residential schools systems, bringing closure to families.