On November 1, 2011, in collaboration with the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, the First Nations House of Learning at UBC hosted a day-long Dialogue on the History and Legacy of the Indian Residential Schools.
Preparations for the day began the night before with a Ceremonial Opening at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology (MOA), and the Dialogue began the next morning at the First Nations Longhouse as participants entered the First Nations Longhouse through the ceremonial entrance door, a door normally opened only for graduation ceremonies twice a year.
During the day, participants, who included administrators, faculty, staff, and students from UBC and other institutions, and Aboriginal leaders, school survivors, and community members, heard testimony from scholars, survivors, students, leaders, and others. The short 30 minute video below here gives a window onto the day’s events. A complete and easily navigable video record of the entire event is located on the page located below this one on the menu system: UBC Dialogue: Full Video Record. For more information on the Indian Residential School System, see the parent page to this one, The Residential School System.
PLEASE NOTE: the testimony of Indian residential school survivors often contains detailed accounts of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. This video does NOT contain such materials, but most people find the general and systematic circumstances that are described quite difficult to hear, and they may be especially so for survivors and their families. If you have reason to think you might find these descriptions especially troubling, we urge you to delay viewing this video until you are located in a place where support services are available. If you view the video and find that during or after you are experiencing significant difficulties, we urge you to contact one of the support services listed below.
On September 18, 2013, the University of British Columbia suspended classes for the first day of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s National Event in Vancouver. A considerable amount of programming and other activity took place on campus to inform people of Indian residential school history and its effects during this time. To learn more about what happened on campus, see http://irsi.aboriginal.ubc.ca.
Counseling Support Services
UBC Students
Counselling Services provides counselling to UBC students. The team includes an Aboriginal counsellor with experience working with Aboriginal communities. To book an appointment call 604.822.3811 or visit room 1040 in Brock Hall.
Former Residential School Students
An Indian residential Schools crisis Line (1.866.925.4419, toll free) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her residential school experience.
UBC Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff have access to counselling services (face-to-face, telephone, and e-counselling) through the Employee and Family Assistance Program. Contact Homewood Human Solutions at 1.800.663.1142 for 24 hour-a-day access to counselling.
24 Hour-A-Day Crisis Counseling
Call 1.800.784.2433.
