Commissioner's update for offenders and their families: September 25, 2023

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day, we honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

We acknowledge the tragic and painful history of these schools and the generational impact it has had – and continues to have – on Indigenous communities. This date emphasizes that Every Child Matters.

The path toward reconciliation is about building an understanding of Indigenous Peoples history, and cultures. It is about repairing relationships and mutual understanding. To do so, we each have a responsibility to:

• learn about the past and reflect on the damage caused by residential schools
• share this knowledge with others, and
• support Indigenous peoples by standing side-by-side in solidarity

I recognize that Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation may be a trigger and cause grief and trauma for some of you. If you need assistance and support, the National Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419. You can also speak to one of the staff or Health Services if you need help.

Over the last week, CSC’s Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Assistant Commissioner, Communications and Engagement, Kirstan Gagnon, visited some sites in the Pacific Region to engage with CSC employees and inmates/residents, management, and community stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who participated and kindly shared their thoughts and ideas.

These visits foster meaningful discussions, gather diverse perspectives and identify common themes. The insights gathered from these in-person engagement sessions will help identify areas for improvement and implement changes that work to address systemic barriers. Additional engagement sessions are scheduled in the Prairie Region later this fall.