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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Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from residential school Survivors, Indigenous artists and athletes, and other subject matter experts through pre-recorded content where educators can decide how best to showcase them based on their lesson plans.
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 truth and reconciliation.
Available to Teachers and Educators Year-Round
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.
