(Ottawa, ON) 8 juin 2021 - On this week’s Roots & Hoots episode, the Legacy of Hope Foundation’s host, Gordon Spence, is pleased to be joined by his son, Christian. Christian Spence is a Cree and Inuk man, who has led an adventurous life, leading up to his role as Policy Advisor at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). He is an avid hockey lover who has travelled far and wide, worked in kitchens and is now conquering law school in the fall of 2021. Together, they discussed Christian’s journey to his own identity, as well as the experiences and family history that has helped shape him.

Christian was born in Ottawa, Ontario, but grew up in Almonte. He has family connections on his father’s side to the Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Split Lake in Manitoba, and a strong connection to Iqaluit, Nunavut on his mother’s side. Growing up, he didn’t always stand in his identity as Cree and Inuk, because of that age-old desire to fit in with those around him in high school. What allowed him to break away from this hollow path, was realizing the systemic roots that are behind all issues that Indigenous Peoples of Canada continue to face today. When Christian started to understand the colonial effects of history, it brought a sense of pride to his parents’ own legacy, and their ability to overcome barriers such as the dark cloud of Residential Schools. In a touching conversation between father and son, Gordon speaks to the bittersweetness and necessity for Christian to have learned through lived experience. Gordon reflects, that he was glad Christian went through it all, because it made him understand, become stronger and a better person, with more resilience and compassion.

Christian started his career with ITK, as a Project Coordinator in 2018, and has since transitioned into the role of Policy Advisor in Economic Development, Labour Market and Legislative Priority Areas. The ITK is the National Inuit representational organization, founded by seven Inuit community leaders in 1971. Their mission is to protect and advance the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada by working with Territorial Organizations as well as the Federal Government. With law school at the University of Ottawa on the horizon for September 2021, Christian sees the importance of studying law because of their applications to the future possibilities and potentials for Indigenous Peoples. With a love of hockey, of travel, of camaraderie and of service, Christian invokes the need for non-Indigenous Canadians who may not understand the colonial impact of oppressive policies, to begin their education, reach out, and have positive conversations. To listen to this week’s episode please visit https://bit.ly/rootsnhoots

The LHF is pleased to be celebrating their 20-year anniversary as a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System, Sixties Scoop, Day Schools and other colonial acts of oppression on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) Peoples. The LHF has 20 exhibitions that are available for loan for free.

Notre dernière exposition, Fuir les pensionnats indiens : fuir pour sauver nos vies, 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: http://legacyofhope.ca/project/escapingrs/ La LHF travaille à la mise en ligne de ses autres expositions. LHF propose également un programme de la maternelle à la 12e année et des ateliers pour adultes, ainsi que des guides d'activités, visant à éduquer les Canadiens sur l'histoire commune des pensionnats indiens, la rafle des années 60, les femmes et les filles autochtones disparues et assassinées et les écoles de jour. La LHF travaille à développer l'empathie et la compréhension afin d'éliminer le racisme et de favoriser la réconciliation au Canada.

Pour les demandes médiatiques, contactez :
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B. JD. Directrice générale et conseillère juridique interne Fondation autochtone de l’espoir Courriel:info@legacyofhope.ca Téléphone:613-237-4806, poste 303