Legacy of Hope Foundation

The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for more than 19 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System (RSS) and subsequent Sixties Scoop (SS) on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote healing and Reconciliation.

Part of the LHF’s goals are to provide needed resources for schools. The history and information about residual trauma and the links to current social and economic issues are rarely taught in schools, which can lead to misinformation and foster racism, all of which underlines the need for more public education and resources on the topics of the RSS, SS, and other colonial acts of oppression. In schools today, there is little mentioned about the amazing contributions Indigenous Nations have made and continue to make to the fabric of our society. A comprehensive history highlighting the diversity of our Nations and our cultures, languages, traditions is lacking in the current curriculum. The LHF has created many resources to address this critical gap and help inject more perspectives and knowledges on these issues to foster healthy and informed dialogue and action.

The LHF honours Survivors and their families by taking direction from them to ensure that our initiatives consider their true and authentic voices, while providing Survivors with emotional support to ensure their work with us is an empowering and healing experience. We believe that by educating Canadians about both the rich histories of Indigenous Peoples prior to the disruption caused by colonial contact, and the subsequent pain and injustices inflicted on generations, we can highlight the strength and resilience of Survivors. With this approach, we can build respect, understanding, and empathy, so that meaningful connections can happen and we can inspire action that works toward equality, hope, and healing in Canada.

The LHF works to encourage people to address racism and discrimination so as to contribute to the equality, dignity, and just relationships among all. We will continue to work with teachers, school boards, universities, policing agencies, governments, officials, banks, unions, private businesses, and citizens to help meet these goals. The LHF offers a unique and comprehensive collection of resources, exhibitions, workshops, and research reports to anyone wanting to learn about Indigenous Peoples and willing to work toward Reconciliation. We believe true Reconciliation requires consistent, positive, and informed effort and action by everyone. Our teaching tools include the following:

Curriculum Resources that:

Emphasize Indigenous voices and explore First Nations, Inuit, and Métis experiences; Provide comprehensive lesson plans, activity guides, and other resources; and Feature two new curricula: one for K-6 and a new Sixties Scoop curriculum for 7-12.

Exhibitions that are:

Stand-alone, mobile exhibitions that provide a unique, museum-like experience and include first-hand, Indigenous Testimonies of the RSS and SS. The exhibitions, which promote healing and encourage acts of Reconciliation, can be hosted in schools, offices, parliaments, galleries, or in any public space.

Workshops and Training:

The LHF offers Workshops and training that fosters Reconciliation initiatives in your community, department, or organization by teaching about intergenerational impacts of the RSS and the SS. We teach people how to be an ally and the steps needed to address racism and work for change.

Research Reports:

The LHF has research reports available on the impacts of Residential Schools in the areas of justice, domestic violence, suicide, inequality, health, and history of Indigenous Peoples; and research reports on best practices for supporting Indigenous well-being, culture, and economic prosperity are also available from the LHF for free, and some at a minimal cost to support learning within your organization.

Our work is guided by ethical guidelines and principles for working with Survivors and Indigenous communities. These ethical guidelines are based on: 1) A deep concern and compassion for and honouring of Survivors, their families, and communities; and 2) A clear understanding of the need for, and importance of the oral tradition of Indigenous peoples. We take as our fundamental guiding principle that the work of the LHF must contribute to the health, safety, well-being, and healing of Survivors, their families, and communities, and towards promoting reconciliation in Canada.

Our mission is to educate and foster Reconciliation and to create just and equal relationships among all people in Canada. We accomplish this by teaching about the true history of Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and the injustices Indigenous Peoples endure and by bringing to light the varied and rich contributions to the foundation of this country that Indigenous Peoples made and continue to make.

Our Exhibitions