(Ottawa, ON) April 6, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is grateful to the support and generosity of spirit demonstrated by Sacred Heart Catholic High School. Thanks to their donation of $1,500, 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.

In September 2022 Sacred Heart launched its first Orange Shirt Day fundraiser. Orange tees with a logo designed by Sacred Heart student Madeleine Chapman were sold to staff and students in the days leading up to September 30.

“It was an important experience for us all, to amplify the voices of our students of Indigenous heritage like Madeleine, and to affirm our school community’s support for the work of indigenous organizations like LHF. Building truth, justice and Reconciliation happens when we support and lift each other up.” said Brent Hopkins, Principal of Sacred Heart.

“The LHF chooses to focus on educating youth for this very reason. We know that once children and youth understand what has been happening to Indigenous Peoples in Canada they will be inspired to take action to foster Reconciliation in Canada. Then these same individuals will have the knowledge and tools to take positive action as adults when they go out into the world. It is so inspiring and we are so grateful for the support,” 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.