(Ottawa, ON) November 30, 2023 – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is grateful to the support and generosity of spirit demonstrated by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA). 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 have faced as a result of their experiences in Residential/Day School, and within the Child Welfare System.

The OECTA generously contributed $10,000 this past September to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

“OECTA, and the 45,000 Catholic teachers we represent, teaching in publicly funded English Catholic schools across Ontario, are honoured to support LHF’s important and essential work,” says OECTA President René Jansen in de Wal.

“Catholic teachers are committed to Truth and Reconciliation – to taking action in our classrooms and communities, and to making space for the voices of Indigenous Peoples, from whom we must listen and learn, each and every day.”

“In our classrooms, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, Catholic teachers work to ensure that we are acknowledging and confronting the devastation that Canada’s residential school system has inflicted on Indigenous communities. And as part of our commitment, we recognize and celebrate the diverse heritage and invaluable contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, as well as the Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and helpers, whose leadership and wisdom is essential in Ontario schools.”

“The generous donation from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association is a shining example of their dedication to Truth and Reconciliation, and significantly bolsters our efforts at LHF. Their contribution is an affirmation of the shared commitment to education and illuminate the complex histories and vibrant cultures of Indigenous Peoples. We are deeply thankful for OECTA’s support, which will enable us to continue creating impactful learning materials and exhibitions that honour the experiences and resilience of Indigenous communities” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel at LHF.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 23 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and existing impacts on generations of Indigenous Peoples caused by their experiences as children living through Residential and/ or Day School, or within the Child Welfare System. We do this to address ongoing discrimination and injustice to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation.

The LHF has more than 30 educational exhibitions that inform people about Indigenous history through art and other mediums that are free to borrow, and some exhibitions are available online. LHF also has curriculum for K-12 for teachers and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Research, Communication materials and Podcasts, Workshops and Training for businesses, 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 to eliminate racism against Indigenous Peoples. We also offer Cultural Reclamation Workshops, share Best Practices about Language Revitalization and Food Sovereignty, etc. along with other tools to support hope and healing.

To learn about OECTA, please visit: https://www.catholicteachers.ca/

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca