News

April 27, 2022

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation gifts $1 million to support Indigenous Peoples and communities heal from the intergenerational trauma of residential schools

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The Catherine Donnelly Foundation gifts $1 million to support Indigenous Peoples and communities as they respond and heal from the intergenerational trauma of residential schools

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation has gifted $1 million to nine organizations supporting survivors of the residential school system and its ongoing intergenerational impacts.

The residential school system and its legacy is an agonizing reminder of the impacts of colonialism that continue to this day and the need for settlers to pursue efforts toward reconciliation.

“We believe our commitment to healing and reconciliation must involve action and leadership,” says CDF Executive Director Claire Barcik. “A commitment that includes new practices, the sharing of funds and resources, and relationship-building with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”

The Foundation consulted Indigenous partners and allies to choose nine organizations across the country that were recently informed of the gifts. Groups did not apply and will be able to use funds as they wish with only the expectation of a short oral or written report.

Organizations were awarded between $50,000 and $200,000 for their exceptional work in a variety of areas, including supports for Residential School Survivors, land and governance policy, next-generation Indigenous leadership, urban Indigenous services, First Nation-led research rooted in community networks and on-the-land training. They are:

National Association of Friendship Centres (Ottawa, ON) – $200,000

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society (Ottawa, ON) – $200,000

National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation (Winnipeg, MB) – $100,000

Yellowhead Institute (Toronto, ON) -$100,000

4Rs Youth Movement (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) – $100,000

Indian Residential School Survivor Society (North Vancouver, BC) – $100,000

Eskasoni Mental Health (Eskasoni, NS) – $100,000

Ilitaqsiniq – Nunavut Literacy Council (Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) – $50,000

NunatuKavut Community Council (Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL) – $50,000

CDF invites other foundations and leaders to join us in providing no-strings-attached funding to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples working to heal, build hope and restore social, cultural, and economic capacity in their communities.

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation is the legacy of the Sisters of Service, a progressive community of Catholic religious sisters who worked to empower the marginalized and encourage social change. The Sisters acknowledged the histories between the Christian churches and Indigenous peoples in Canada and committed to becoming more informed and responsive to the impacts of colonialism and the legacy of the residential schools. The Foundation is dedicated to continuing that work.

“The Catherine Donnelly Foundation is delighted to offer this support, but we also understand that reconciling our relationship with Indigenous peoples requires greater will and effort from every corner of settler society,” said Claire Barcik.

“It’s a humbling journey for settlers to deepen our learning about the harm caused by colonialism and we’re very grateful for the graciousness displayed by our Indigenous partners as we find our way to meaningful engagement and support.  We welcome other foundations and leaders to accompany us in our travels.”

For more information on the Foundation’s gifts please contact Steve Brearton at sbrearton@catherinedonnellyfoundation.org or at 647-457-5397.