Choral Canada is committed to listening to and amplifying the voices of the Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Choral Canada’s office will be closed on September 30. We will be using this time to take personal action in our own capacities. We will be thinking about the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. We are wearing orange to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and because Every Child Matters. We will continue our exploration of the vast resources available across the country to properly acknowledge and better understand the history. 
 
We welcome you to join us on September 30, and throughout the year, to listen, learn, and take action. Below are some resources/actions/events we encourage you to check out. 

If you have an Indigenous-led initiative/communication that is national in scope and you would like us to share it, please get in touch with our Communications Manager, Colin Frotten, at [email protected]. 

​Support is available; former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports. Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat.

Resources

• Message from Sherryl Sewepagaham on the importance of supporting and uplifting Indigenous artists: ​Part 1 and Part 2
• Orange Shirt Day Photo Submission - Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance
  A call from IPAA to share photos of wearing orange in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Residential School students, survivors and families. 
• Whose Land
  Whose Land is a web-based app that uses GIS technology to assist users in identifying Indigenous Nations, territories, and Indigenous communities across Canada. The app can be used for learning about the territory your home or business is situated on, finding information for a land acknowledgement, and learning about the treaties and agreements signed across Canada.
• Open Letter from Indigenous Classical Musicians – Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance 
• National Truth and Reconciliation Events - Culture Days
  Find events happening across Turtle Island/Canada on September 30, 2022.
• Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation - Co-curated by Denise Bolduc, Sarain Fox, and Mervon Mehta
  Free Livestream on September 30. Dancer, storyteller, and activist Sarain Fox guides an evening that includes Juno Award nominee Nimkii; then Rebecca Cuddy sings a song cycle by composer Ian Cusson and poet Marylin Dumont (all Métis) accompanied by the New Orford String Quartet and Philip Chiu; and Tomson Highway unveils his irreverent and freewheeling “Cree Country” band with singer Patricia Cano. Co-curated with Denise Bolduc.
• Kanata: Contemporary Indigenous Artists and their Music – MusiCounts
  A learning resource that will support teachers in bringing Indigenous voices, perspectives, and music into classrooms.
• Coverage on Truth and Reconciliation - APTN National News
  Stay informed from Indigenous-led media groups.
• Canadian Music Centre (CMC) – Indigenous Advisory Council
  Learn more about the Canadian Music Centre's Indigenous Advisory Council and consult their list of resources here.