The National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
The National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
For Teachers & Students (Grades 1 – 12)
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Via our Online Portal Year Round
To assist teachers, we’re offering Taking Truth to Action, a week-long educational program open to all schools across Canada, that supports free, age-appropriate, education curriculums for students in grades 1–12. Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from residential school Survivors, Indigenous artists and athletes, and other subject matter experts.
Learning topics will include the truths, history, and impacts of the Residential School System and what learners and educators can do to take action toward reconciliation.
Join us for an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada.
These free educational programs are brought to you by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Programming is available in English, French, and ASL.
September 22 – 26, 2025
A series of hybrid sessions will be held during the week for students and educators on the TRW education portal. Hybrid sessions will be hosted in different regions in Canada where an expert matter speaker will be joined by a small group of in-person students for a 40 to 60-minute session that may include a lesson/presentation and/or activity and open Q&A. Classrooms can watch and engage with these sessions virtually and participate in the Q&A.
All sessions will be held via zoom live. Session information will be available soon.
All sessions will be held via zoom live.
Session times are listed in their respective local time zones across Canada.
Monday, September 22
10:00AM PT
A Conversation with Linda McCullough
English with French and ASL interpretation.
Students will hear from Linda McCullough, a residential school Survivor from Northern Saskatchewan. In conversation with a student moderator, Linda will share her life experience which will illuminate the legacy of residential schools, her strength and connection to her Métis identity, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audiences: Grade 5
Speaker: Linda MCullough, Survivor
Location: Douglas Park Community School, Langley, BC
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Monday, September 22
1:30pm CT
A Conversation with Belinda Vandenbroek
English with French, Cree, and ASL interpretation.
Students will hear from Grandmother Belinda VandenBroek, a residential school Survivor from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. In conversation with Witness Michael Redhead Champagne, Grandmother VandenBroek will share her life experience which will illuminate the legacy of colonial schooling systems, the strength of Indigenous Peoples, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Grandmother VandenBroek and Michael are joined onsite by students from Windsor Park Collegiate.
Audiences: Grades 11 – 12
Speaker: Belinda Vandenbroek, Survivor
Moderator: Michael Redhead Champagne
Location: Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Tuesday, September 23
11:00AM ET
A Conversation with Madeleine Basile
French with English interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Students will hear from Madeleine Basile, a residential school Survivor from the Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw in Wemotaci. Madeleine will share her life experience which will illuminate the legacy of residential schools, her strength and connection to her identity, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audiences: Grades 10-11
Speaker: Madeleine Basile, Survivor
Location: École secondaire Champagnat, La Tuque, QC
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Tuesday, September 23
2:20PM CT
A Conversation with Brian Normand
French with English interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Students will hear from Brian Normand, a day school Survivor and intergenerational Survivor descending from the Red River Settlement. Brian will share her life experience which will illuminate the legacy of residential schools, his strength and connection to his Métis identity, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audiences: Grade 12
Speaker: Brian Normand, NCTR Survivor Circle Member
Moderator: Dreyton Perrault
Location: St. Paul’s High School, Winnipeg, MB
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Wednesday, September 24
10:00am PT
A Conversation with Phyllis Webstad
English with French interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Phyllis Webstad, founder of the Orange Shirt Society, will be presenting at Shxwelís te Ts’qó:ls (Spirit of Hope Secondary School) will be sharing her personal experiences and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. The event will begin in a good way with drummers Angela Hugh, Dylan Hugh, Kelsey Charlie and David Gutierrez, who will share a song. Chief Aaron Pete from Chawathil First Nation will share an introduction and welcome to the territory. To end the presentation the Spirit of Hope Secondary young ladies’ group will sing the Sto:lo women’s song.
Audiences: Grades 7 – 12
Speaker: Phyllis Webstad, Survivor
Location: The Spirit of Hope Secondary, Hope, BC
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Wednesday, September 24
12:00pm ET
A Conversation with Claudette Commanda and David Decontie
English with French, Ojibway, and ASL interpretation.
Students will hear from David Decontie, a residential school Survivor, and Claudette Commanda, a day school Survivor, both from Kitigan Zibi. David and Claudette will share their life experiences which will illuminate the legacy of both residential and day schools, their strength and connection to their identities, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audiences: Grades 9-12
Speakers: Claudette Commanda, Day School Survivor and David Decontie, Residential School Survivor
Moderator: Quill Nottaway Cote
Location: Museum of History, Gatineau, QC
Length: 75-90 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Thursday, September 25
1:30PM CT
A Conversation with Dickie Yuzicapi
English with French interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Students will hear from Francis Dickie Yuzicapi, a residential school Survivor of culturally diverse heritage from the Plains including Ojibway, Cree, Metis, and Dakota. Dickie will share his life experience which will illuminate the legacy of residential schools, his strength and connection to his identity, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audiences: Grades 7-12
Speaker: Dickie Yuzicapi, NCTR Survivor Circle Member
Location: Sheldon William Collegiate, Regina, SK
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Friday, September 26
9:05AM ET
A Conversation with Monica Ittusardjuat
English with French and Inuktitut interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Students will hear from Monica Ittusardjuat, a residential school Survivor who was born in a winter camp called Akkimaniq and attended 3 residential schools. Monica will share her life experience which will illuminate the legacy of residential schools, her strength and connection to her Inuit identity, and the role of young people in advancing truth and reconciliation.
Audience: Grades 7-12
Speaker: Monica Ittusardjuat, Survivor
Location: Virtual
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
Friday, September 26
1:00pm CT
A Conversation with Albert McLeod
English with French interpretation. ASL recordings will be available online at a later date.
Students will hear from Elder Albert McLeod, a Two Spirit Knowledge Keeper with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Métis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in Northern Manitoba. In conversation with Witness Lola Whonnock, Elder McLeod will speak about the impacts of the residential and day school systems on Two Spirit people and on gender identity in Indigenous communities.
Elder McLeod and Lola are joined onsite by students from Nelson McIntyre Collegiate.
Audiences: Grades 11 – 12
Speaker: Albert McLeod, 2Spirit Elder and Fabulous Animate Being
Moderator: Lola Whonnock
Location: Canadian Museum For Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Length: 40-60 minutes
Zoom links are only available from within the Portal. Portal Login »
These free educational programs are brought to you by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Programming is available in English, French, and ASL.
An annual publication to coincide with Truth and Reconciliation Week. Each publication features content from Indigenous Elders writers, storytellers, artists and educators and is distributed for free to classrooms throughout Canada.
Each publication is accompanied by an Educator’s Guide with lesson plans designed to help teachers and students engage their hearts as well as their minds as they explore the publication together.
Lola Whonnock
Lola Whonnock, Kwakwaka’wakw First Nation from BC, has been an educator for over 25 years. Lola has been a Winnipegger for 12 years, during which time she has worked with several school divisions, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and is currently working with Manitoba Government for Indigenous Excellence in Education as a consultant. Lola loves to sing, to create, to read, and spends time off work with her partner and her dog enjoying park walks.
Albert McLeod
Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over thirty years of experience as a human rights activist and was one of the founders of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.
Albert began his Two-Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. He was also a member of the sub-working group that produced the MMIWG – 2SLGBTQQIA+ National Action Plan Report in 2020-2021.
In 2020, Albert joined Team Thunderhead, the team that won the international competition to design the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument in Ottawa.
Albert lives in Winnipeg, where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training.
David Decontie
David Decontie is a residential school Survivor from Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg First Nation. When he was 3 years old, he was taken from his family to the Kenora Residential School and later to the Pointe Bleue Residential School. During his time at residential school, David lost his language, culture, and spirituality and struggled with the impacts of the system. David has slowly started to reclaim what was lost and has been reconnecting with his identity and culture and working to pass on this knowledge to his children and grandchildren.
Claudette Commanda
Professor Claudette Commanda is an Algonquin Anishinabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation located in the province of Quebec. An alumni of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Common Law and Faculty of Arts, Claudette has dedicated the last 35 years promoting First Nations people, history, culture and rights in various capacities as a University of Ottawa student, professor, member and chair of the Aboriginal education council; and via public speaking events.
She is a professor for the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Women’s Studies; Faculty of Education; Faculty of Law; and the Aboriginal Studies Program, teaching courses on First Nations Women; Native Education; First Nations People and History; Indigenous Traditions; and Decolonization. In addition, she is the Chief Executive Officer of the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, a national organization which protects and promotes First Nations culture, languages and traditional knowledge. She is inducted into the Common Law Honour Society; served two terms on the Board of Governors for the First Nations University of Canada; and three terms on the Kitigan Zibi band council. In 2017, Claudette is the first First Nation appointed Elder in Residence for the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa; and the first person of a First Nation heritage to be appointed to the Board of Governors for the University of Ottawa. She is the Special Advisor on Reconciliation, for the Dean, Faculty of Law. Claudette is a proud mother of four and a grandmother to ten beautiful grandchildren. In March 2020, Claudette received the 2020 INDSPIRE Award for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality. On November 9, 2022, she became the Chancellor for the University of Ottawa.
Monica Ittusardjuat
Monica Ittusardjuat is an Inuk Elder and a Survivor of residential schools in Chesterfield Inlet and in Manitoba. Monica holds a master’s degree in education and has an extensive background in promoting Inuit language and culture. She has worked with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami as a National Inuit Language Coordinator and as a language developer, interpreter, translator and instructor for a number of institutions in Nunavut, including the Nunavut Arctic College and the Pirurvik Centre. She has also worked as Wellness Coordinator for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. She has served as a Board Member of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and on two Law Commission of Canada panels addressing residential school abuse and institutional abuse.
Brian Normand
Brian Normand is a Métis/Michif descendant from the Red River Settlement and a product of the Residential School System. Married to a proud Métis Woman (Claudette) for 45 years, together they have 3 proud Metis daughters and one son who passed on to the spirit world. He also has 7 grandchildren who keep him very busy.
Altogether he has worked as a spiritual caregiver/elder for the past 20+ years in the justice system (Agassiz Youth Center, Marymound Treatment Center, Stony Mountain Correctional Facility, Métis Child and Family Services, Native Clans, and Native Women’s Transition Center) providing culturally relevant care and therapy to Metis, First Nations and Inuit children, youth, and families. He previously was a member of the board at Metis Child Family Services and Indian and Metis Friendship Center.
During his tenure with organizations he has participated, developed, implemented, and delivered mandatory Aboriginal Awareness Training in addition to building a comprehensive cultural program for individuals involved in the Manitoba Justice System and Child Welfare System. He represented our Metis people at the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry.
He was also one of the 71 selected leaders of the world who went on a pilgrimage in Ange, France for collaborative leadership promoting Metis culture, heritage and spirituality. As well under the mentorship of nationally recognized Grandmother and Elder Gladys Cook, He practiced in conducting the spectrum of Aboriginal ceremonies including Healing and Sharing circles and Longhouse ceremonies. Throughout time he has built strong partnerships with non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal organizations for the betterment of our people. He was also nominated for the Manitoba Excellence Award in 2002.
Brian Normand has overcome many challenges in his lifetime, from being a residential school Survivor, to the recent loss of his wife, which has not dulled his spirit and zest for life. Brian continues to move forward, and models this for others.
Madeleine Basile
Madeleine Basile is an Atikamekw Elder and residential school Survivor with a long history of work in community media, cultural promotion, and developing and managing services and support for residential school Survivors. She was a member of the TRC Indian Residential School Survivor Committee.
Michael Redhead Champagne
Michael Redhead Champagne is an Ininew speaker, host, author, on-screen personality and advocate for children, youth and families and is committed to systems change through love, equity and justice. Originally from Shamattawa First Nation, Michael has spent most of his life in the North End of Winnipeg and now travels to different territories sharing stories, community organizing models and published works including his first children’s book “We Need Everyone”, a graphic novel/creation story about him, “Little By Little: You Can Change The World”, both with HighWater Press.
A sought-after public speaker, event host, published author, critical thinker, systems challenger and community organizer, he has also appeared on various political panels, podcasts and television shows including APTN’s First Contact & Michif Country. Michael is knowledgeable in various subject areas including youth engagement, health, child welfare, education and creating action plans. He is an avid volunteer, co-founder of Zoongizi Ode Inc, community curator for North End History, organizes the Ininimotan Language Table & hosts the annual North End Graduation Walk.
Michael applies strength-based perspectives and humour to solve complicated challenges and believes that Indigenous knowledge will save the world.
Belinda VandenBroek
Belinda is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), The Pas, Manitoba. She is 77 years old and was born and raised on her home reserve, Big Eddy, until she left for residential school in 1957 at age 9. Belinda attended Mackay School for 10 years.
Belinda has been sober for 50 years. She hosted the annual event, Honoring Our Sobriety for 16 years until 2023 when she retired from hosting this event.
In 1993, at age 45, Belinda went to university and received her Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Psychology. She put on the first workshop on the effects of residential schools in Winnipeg in 1993. At that time, the workshop was not well received by Indigenous Christians, and they walked out of the workshop. Through the organization she worked for at the time, she organized residential school healing gatherings from 2001 to 2004 at the Forks.
Today, Belinda’s passion is helping people in their healing journey. She has facilitated seven-day women’s retreats and workshops on various topics pertaining to healing.
Belinda has been asked to speak at various venues for her knowledge and personal experience at a residential school. She speaks about colonization and how colonization has impacted the lives of Indigenous peoples in their homeland.
Belinda has attended and presented at the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conference and many other conferences. She sat on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority for 5 years, the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba for 2 years, as well as various local Indigenous organizations.
Belinda is retired now but continues to carry on her commitment to healing and helping people on their journey. Still very involved in community events and traditional ceremonies, Belinda also does workshops in Winnipeg and in northern communities and is being called on to present traditional teachings at schools throughout Winnipeg.
Linda McCullough
Linda McCullough is a proud Métis citizen of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), affiliated with the Waceya Métis Society in Langley. Originally from Northern Saskatchewan, Linda brings a deep-rooted connection to her culture and community. She has been an integral part of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) community since the mid-1980s, beginning her journey as a preschool teacher and now serving as an Aboriginal Support Worker with the Langley School District. Her decades of experience reflect a lifelong commitment to nurturing and empowering children.
Despite the early challenges of attending residential school, Linda remained deeply connected to her heritage. Today, she is a devoted beadwork artist, honouring the traditional skills passed down by her mamma and kokum. Linda is also a proud mother of two daughters and a loving grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter. Her life and work continue to be a reflection of strength, resilience, and cultural pride.
Phyllis Webstad
Phyllis Webstad is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage, was born in Dog Creek, and lives in Williams Lake, BC. Today, Phyllis is married, has one son, a step-son and five grandchildren. She is the Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society, and tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system. She has now published two books, the “Orange Shirt Story” and “Phyllis’s Orange Shirt” for younger children.
She earned diplomas in Business Administration from the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; and in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University. Phyllis received the 2017 TRU Distinguished Alumni Award for her unprecedented impact on local, provincial, national and international communities through the sharing of her orange shirt story.
Francis Dickie Yuzicapi
Francis comes from a culturally diverse heritage which represents the majority of the Plains cultures found in Saskatchewan to this day: Ojibway, Cree, Metis, and Dakota. Dickie is unique in that he was raised by his great-grandparents who taught him traditional teachings before attending residential school. Dickie is a Survivor, and a multi-generational trauma Survivor. Dickie is currently the owner and chef of the Sioux Chef Catering Company and consults on all facets of indigenous culture. He is a master storyteller and experienced speaker who can provide his own ancestral context and historical connections in ways that bring the Truth and Reconciliation recommendations to practical reality. His workshops are led with great care to his family’s stories and to all participants’ level of Reconciliation. It is about creating understanding with care to lay the groundwork for what needs to be done to heal.