Friday, July 2, 2021 is a Brandon University Day of Mourning and Reflection, as we grapple with the discovery of 751 more unmarked graves found at a former residential school in Saskatchewan. This follows similar discoveries in Kamloops and right here in Brandon. We know that there is a long list of similar sites, where more discoveries will be made.

Brandon University will pause many of our normal activities on this day, but it is not a day off, nor a holiday. On the Day of Mourning and Reflection, you are urged to set aside time and space to work on reconciliation. All supervisors are asked to support this in their teams as fully as possible.

Your reconciliation work on the Day of Mourning and Reflection is essential to the mission of Brandon University. Here is what you are asked to do:

First, you should take time to grieve, mourn, or otherwise engage with the trauma of these horrific discoveries. Consider how they affect your friends, your colleagues, your neighbours. For some of us, grieving may be the most essential work we can do on this day.

Educate yourself, if necessary, on the Canadian residential school system, and its painful legacy. Read or re-read the Truth and Reconciliation report. There are many excellent books, articles, and other resources to deepen your knowledge, and the BU Library provides one place to start:  https://libguides.brandonu.ca/indigenous/residential

And, if you are able, use the Day of Mourning and Reflection to develop and propose concrete actions that will move us towards true reconciliation. For example, what are some thoughtful ways that Brandon University can appropriately recognize these terrible discoveries in the future — either periodically, or permanently. The University is especially interested in creating or supporting something for the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

There are also small actions you can take right now to show that our community is united. Wear orange, especially an orange T-shirt. Place an orange T-shirt on your front door or in your window. Hang orange ribbons from tree branches, bushes, or a fence on your property.

Support is available through Brandon University and the wider community to help you with this grief and pain.

For all:

• The Indigenous Peoples’ Centre provides culturally sensitive services to First Nation, Metis and Inuit students, and by promoting cross–cultural understanding on campus.  We also have Knowledge Keepers you are able to connect with.  For more information or to make an appointment please follow the link or email Lagimodierec@brandonu.ca, Bessettem@brandonu.ca or GregoryD@brandonu.ca  for further information.
• The Indigenous Peoples’ Centre can also help connect you with groups in the community who will be planning ceremony.
• The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is a resource for support and to find out how you can help or get involved.
  https://www.irsss.ca/ or toll Free – 1-800-721-0066
• The Indian Residential School Survivors Society 24hr Crisis Line can provide emotional support or assistance 1 (866) 925-4419
• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
• Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

For students:

• Student Services are available to those who are needing counselling, or further support.  For more information or to schedule an appointment call 204-727-9737.  All appointments are confidential and included as part of your student fees.  Below are links to personal counselling in grief and trauma.
  https://www.brandonu.ca/personal-counselling/wellness-topics/trauma/
  https://www.brandonu.ca/personal-counselling/wellness-topics/grief/

For faculty and staff:

• Employees and eligible family members can access supports through Homewood Health. Access resources online at https://homeweb.ca/or by phoning their toll-free number 24/7 at 1-800-663-1142.  Online Tools, Resources & Services and Homewood’s EFAP and crisis management programs offer multilingual and fully accessible (24/7) service.
• The EFAP program is available to employees’ spouses/partners and dependents as well.Short-term Counselling in three modalities – telephone, online and in person – while providing approaches and content that address a full range of mental health issues including but not limited to family and relationship issues, trauma, depression, anger management, life transitions and personal issues.