(Ottawa, ON) September 30, 2021– The Legacy of Hope Foundation honours and acknowledges Silver Icing for their extremely generous donation of over $100,000. This donation will help to support education about Indigenous history and support Reconciliation.

Silver Icing is an online fashion lifestyle brand based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. When the news about the 215 unmarked children’s graves at the former Kamloops Residential School site were found, it caused Silver Icing to create meaningful dialogue with their team. They realized the importance and deep need for acknowledging the trauma that Indigenous Peoples across Canada have faced and wanted to do something to help. They knew that they had to play a part in bringing awareness to Canadians, about the true history and mobilized to develop the Forget-Me-Not Tee Fundraiser. For this fundraiser, Silver Icing did research and chose to give 100% of the net proceeds to the Legacy of Hope Foundation, to ensure that the work of education, creating awareness and understanding about the Residential School System could be widely supported.

The orange t-shirts were in part designed by Silver Icing head office team members Tonia Lenk, Tsimshian artist, and Allison McLeod’s father, Chief Harvey McLeod of the Upper Nicola Band from the Sylix Okanogan Nation. The McLeod’s have a close connection to these horrific events, since Chief McLeod attended the Residential School in Kamloops, where the 215 children were found. In just a couple months of selling the stylized and designed orange t-shirts, Silver Icing raised $114,980.32.

“Immediately after launch, the demand for these tees was clear; subsequently causing a sellout and restock four additional times. The majority of the donation amount was raised within the first 72hours and we were in complete awe of our community and how they showed up to support this incredibly important initiative.” Christina Marcano, Silver Icing Founder & CEO

The money raised will go to the development and dissemination of K-12 curriculum within schools across Canada so that future generations can learn about the impacts that Residential Schools have had on Survivors, their descendants, and those who never made it home, and to ensure that we create a brighter tomorrow for future generations. “We are moved beyond words, and could not possibly thank Silver Icing enough for what they have done. We will be able to fund initiatives for a full year as a result of their fund-raising and this will have a huge and positive impact on Canadians and Survivors,” said Teresa Edwards, ED and Legal Counsel for the LHF. She continued, “At a time when our hearts are breaking for the children and their families and communities, Silver Icing, has given us hope in humanity.”

The Legacy of Hope Foundation will use this generous donation to reprint exhibitions so that Testimonies of Survivors, and what happened to them while in the Residential School System can reach more people across Canada. LHF will also use this donation to develop and to provide cultural revitalization workshops online and in-person for Survivors and intergenerational Survivors who have lost and endured so much while in Residential School.

Residential Schools have had a detrimental impact on Indigenous populations across Canada. From when they first opened in 1828, until the last one closed in 1997, their effect is still a reality today. Healing the trauma that was felt by generations past and that continues to affect present generations of Indigenous communities and Survivors, along with addressing racism and injustice, is central to the efforts of the LHF.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and reconciliation in Canada for over 20 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Sixties Scoop on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage people to address discrimination and injustices in order to contribute to the equality, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation.

The LHF has over 25 travelling exhibitions available to host, and is working on making its other exhibitions available on line. LHF also has curriculum from K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and other colonial acts of oppression. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism and foster Reconciliation in Canada.

To purchase the LHF’s Orange T-Shirt or to donate to the LHF, or for more information about the LHF visit the Legacy of Hope Foundation website at www.legacyofhope.ca. Our charitable number is 863471520RR0001.