A photo of Queen Elizabeth and an Indigenous small girl.
A photo of Queen Elizabeth II accepting a bouquet of flowers from a young Indigenous girl on her trip to Canada in 1959. Credit: Library and Archives Canada / Flickr Credit: Library and Archives Canada / Flickr

On Monday, September 19, Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. 

The Government of Canada has declared this day as a national day of mourning. In Ottawa, a memorial parade featuring the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP will take place, as well as a commemorative ceremony. 

Some Canadians, however, do not feel like mourning.  

For all of the grace, strength and ‘unswerving devotion’ she committed to her country, Queen Elizabeth II also served as the face of colonialism in many places of the world – and Canada is not exempt from this. 

Ahead of her funeral and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, rabble would like to share a few resources for ways to support Indigenous Peoples on this day and beyond. 

Western Canada

Indian Residential School Survivors Society is a provincial organization with a 20-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors. Led by an elected board of directors from six regions of B.C. who are survivors or intergenerational survivors of residential schools.

“IRSSS provides essential services to Residential School Survivors, their families, and those dealing with Intergenerational traumas. These impacts affect every family and every community across B.C. and Canada. This fact is most evident in the Corrections Canada Services-the numbers of First Nations people incarcerated, Child and Family Services child apprehensions, the high number of people on social assistance, unemployment and underemployed, lower levels of education, the lowest number within an ethnic minority of “determinants of health”, the list of impacts is extremely high while the services available to effectively assist impacts of Residential Schools remain quite low.” – irsss.ca

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is a national organization representing Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people in Canada. 

“NWAC engages in national and international advocacy aimed at legislative and policy reforms to promote equality for Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, gender diverse, and LGBTQQAI+ people. Through advocacy, policy, and legislative analysis, NWAC works to preserve Indigenous culture and advance the wellbeing of all Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people, as well as their families and communities.” – nwac.ca

Helping Spirit Lodge Society is a not-for-profit transition house in Greater Vancouver which has assisted more than 5,000 women and children since May 1991. 

“The organization’s work is shaped by the belief that it is the Indigenous people who must set the agenda in providing solutions to problems that adversely affect them and their traditionally proud cultural inheritance.” – hsls.ca 

Northern Territories

True North Aid is a registered charity serving and supporting northern Indigenous communities in Canada through “practical humanitarian support.” 

“With significant barriers in accessing goods and services in remote communities, as well as striking levels of inequality in health and wellness outcomes, income, food, and housing, there is much work to be done. The issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada are complex and the result of a culmination of events and actions that have transpired over the past 150 years. True North Aid believes that the right to self-governance and self-determination is key to addressing these inequalities and closing the poverty gap.” – truenorthaid.ca

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami is an organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of Inuit through research, representation, policy governance, public education, and unifying Inuit across Canada. 

“Our work includes research, advocacy, public outreach and education on the issues affecting our population. We work closely with the four Inuit regions to present unified priorities in Ottawa … We are governed by leaders of Inuit rights-holding land claims organizations. We advocate for Inuit rights and interests through our relationship with the Crown.” – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

Central Canada

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is an Indigenous-led organization which works to educate Canadians about the history and generational impacts of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, and raising awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. 

“The LHF works to encourage people to address racism and discrimination so as to contribute to the equality, dignity, and just relationships among all. We will continue to work with teachers, school boards, universities, policing agencies, governments, officials, banks, unions, private businesses, and citizens to help meet these goals. The LHF offers a unique and comprehensive collection of resources, exhibitions, workshops, and research reports to anyone wanting to learn about Indigenous Peoples and willing to work toward Reconciliation. We believe true Reconciliation requires consistent, positive, and informed effort and action by everyone.”  – legacyofhope.ca

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is an organization dedicated to providing education and research to promote the wellbeing of First Nations children, families and communities. 

“The Caring Society stands with First Nations children, youth and families so they have equitable opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are.” – fncaringsociety.com

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is a charitable organization based in Toronto originally founded in 1962. The goal of the organization is to empower the Indigenous population of the city and surrounding areas by providing programs that support spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well-being.

“For over 50 years, the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto has been a leader in the building of a healthy and vibrant urban Indigenous community in Toronto. Serving over 2,000 clients a year, we tirelessly work to provide culturally centred services and programs to increase the economic, social, cultural and health outcomes of our people.” – ncct.on.ca

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund is a registered charity dedicated to improving lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. In collaboration with the Wenjack Family, the goal of the charity is to educate the public about residential schools and Chanie Wenjack’s story. 

“Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.” – downiewenjack.ca

The Prairies 

The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources was established in 1995 by 10 First Nation Chiefs from across Canada as Canada’s first Indigenous-directed environmental non-profit charitable organization. 

“CIER supports Indigenous people and communities to be leaders of positive environmental change, using the best of Western and Indigenous knowledge to create a world that is in balance and supports the well-being of all living things.” – yourcier.org

Red River Echoes is a grassroots collective of Métis/Michif peoples dedicated to landback and reclaiming sovereignty, culture, and kinships in Winnipeg. 

“We are young MMF citizens, Local executives, language learners, university graduates, students, parents, educators, academics, artists, health care workers, public servants, lawyers, and grassroots activists and organizers dedicated to standing with our Indigenous relatives and ensuring democracy in the Métis Nation.” – Red River Echoes homepage. 

Bear Clan Patrol is a group of volunteers who operate out of Winnipeg, acting as a guard system for Indigenous Peoples in the area. 

“Given that the Aboriginal population in Winnipeg is anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000, and is heavily concentrated in certain inner city neighborhoods, it was felt that the community must organize to keep the peace and to assist community members. The concept behind the patrol, then, is community people working with the community to provide personal security in the inner city in a non-threatening, non-violent and supportive way.” – bearclanpatrol.org 

Atlantic Provinces 

The Aboriginal Women’s Association of Prince Edward Island is a non-profit, representative organization, which aims at supporting, educating, and empowering the well-being of Indigenous women through programs and opportunities. 

“AWAPEI supports women and girls who identify as First Nation, Metis, and Inuit residing on Prince Edward Island. We are committed to providing leadership and guidance in cultural, social, economic, and political aspects … Despite historical and ongoing colonial and patriarchal attempts to control or eliminate women’s leadership it has become very clear how important it is to enhance and to educate Aboriginal Women in terms of; health, wellness, healing and violence prevention.” – awapei.org

First Light St. John Friendship Centre is a non-profit organization which provides programs and social support services for the St. John Indigenous communities. 

“First Light is a registered non-profit organization that serves the urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous community alike by providing programs and services rooted in the revitalization, strengthening and celebration of Indigenous cultures and languages in the spirit of trust, respect, and friendship.” – firstlightnl.ca

Other resources ahead of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

The Indian Residential School Survivor Society maintains a hotline for residential school survivors who are in crisis. The 24-hour a day crisis line can be reached at 1-800-721-0066.

Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation offers teaching resources from the University of Manitoba here.