(Ottawa, ON) August 16, 2021– The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) honours and acknowledges Krisstina Davis and Cliff Trafford for their tremendous determination to hike the Rideau Trail, and for their generous donation to support the ongoing work of the Legacy of Hope Foundation in producing educational resources that foster Reconciliation in Canada.

Barrhaven parents – Krisstina Davis and Cliff Trafford felt absolutely devastated after the news of the 215 unmarked graves of children were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. They thought of the extreme helplessness and sadness they would feel, if this had happened to their own children, and knew they wanted to do something to raise awareness of this part of Canadian history.  They decided to raise awareness and funds by hiking 215 miles of the Rideau Trail from Kingston to Ottawa in honour of the 215 children that were found and for the others who continue to be found. Though their trek has ended, Cliff and Krisstina continue to inspire action and raise awareness about the Residential School System and the lack of curriculum in schools containing the true history of Canada as this is crucial to the work of Reconciliation. The funds that Krisstina and Cliff helped raise will ensure the LHF continues this important work within printing of their materials.

“We are overwhelmed by this act of personal commitment, dedication and sacrifice that both Krisstina and Cliff have shown by being an ally to both the LHF and to all Survivors. We are so thankful and appreciative for their support in raising awareness and creating positive change,” said Teresa Edwards, Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel of the LHF.

The LHF has been in operation for more than 20-years as a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School System, Sixties Scoop and other colonial acts of oppression on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Peoples.

The LHF has 22 exhibitions that are available for loan for free. One of our latest exhibitions, Escaping Residential Schools: Running for their Lives, is now available through an animated virtual video, along with the Survivors’ Oral Testimonies. The exhibition examines the experience of Survivors of the Residential School System and raises awareness on the impacts it has on our communities. For more information on the project, please visit: https://legacyofhope.ca/project/escapingrs/ The LHF is working on making its other exhibitions also available on line.

The LHF also has curriculum from K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, and Workshops and Training aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of the links between Residential and Day Schools, and the Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, etc. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate racism and foster Reconciliation in Canada.