(Ottawa, ON) April 12, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is grateful to the support and generosity of spirit demonstrated by Hillside Shopping Centre. Thanks to this donation, the LHF will continue to produce education materials and exhibitions that speak to the rich histories and lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, as well as the abuses and impacts Indigenous Peoples and communities have faced as a result of the Residential School System.

Last spring, Hillside Shopping Centre organized a fundraiser through the sale of “Every Child Matters” facemasks and matched the funds raised, totaling $1400. “Hillside Centre was honoured to work with our local Indigenous Peoples. The facial mask coverings were designed by Indigenous artists: Shelley Samuel – Haida Gwaii Territory and Tracey Anne George – Songhees Nation. Hillside Centre matched the sale proceeds. All proceeds were donated to the Legacy of Hope Foundation,” said Michele Paget, Marketing Director at Hillside Centre.

“The LHF is so thankful for the outpouring of support in raising awareness about the impacts Indigenous Peoples continue to face and the positive actions being taken to foster Reconciliation in Canada. Seeing businesses, individuals, and youth take action across Canada gives me hope for more equity, respect and justice for future generations,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at the LHF.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 21 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 injustice in order to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation.

The LHF has more than 25 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and is working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curriculum for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, and Podcasts all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Sixties Scoop, etc. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism against Indigenous Peoples.