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Wednesday, January 26, 2022 – In 1973 a little girl, forcibly removed from everything she loved and everyone she was loved by, arrived at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school. There, the last physical reminder of all that had been taken from her was also stolen – an orange shirt, gifted to her by her grandmother.

40 years later Phyllis Webstad, who established Orange Shirt Day to increase awareness about the horrors that she and thousands of other children experienced, used her story to help light a fire that has burned bright enough to light the way home for the Indigenous children across this country who did not survive the residential school system.

Yesterday the Chief and council of Williams Lake First Nation revealed the official findings to date at the property surrounding St. Joseph’s Mission; more confirmed young ones hidden beneath the ground of a former residential school.

In his courageous statement about the findings Kukpi7 Willie Sellars said, “There is no reconciliation without truth”, and we agree. United Way British Columbia continues to stand with survivors and their relations, and we mourn with those who mourn these atrocities of our shared history: we are witnesses to your suffering, guests on this land, allies in the path forward, and we believe you.

For the precious little ones gone (both found and still lost), survivors who continue to bravely share their stories, and the generations who are still experiencing the impacts of this incomprehensible and intentional trauma, our hearts are with and for you as we listen, learn, and commit to the action required to create meaningful change.

We stand with you.

*United Way British Columbia acknowledges the homelands of the Indigenous Peoples of this place we now call British Columbia, and honours the many territorial keepers of the Lands on which we live, work, and play, including the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Secwepemc Nation.

There is help and support available for those who are processing this grief, and experiencing pain or distress related to this subject matter, including:

• The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) 24/7 toll free crisis line: 1-800-721-0066 (or visit irsss.ca).
• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (24-hour support and crisis referral services): 1-866-925-4419 (or visit http://www.trc.ca/resources.html).
• The KUU-US Crisis Line Society (BC-based, Indigenous-specific 24-hour crisis line): 1-800-588-8717 (or visit kuu-uscrisisline.com).
• Or visit https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/ehealth/virtual-doctor-of-the-day

Dear neighbours,

United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island acknowledges the homelands of the Indigenous Peoples of this place we now call British Columbia and honours the many territorial keepers of the Lands on which we work. I write to you from our head office in the City of Burnaby, where we recognize that we are on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. We are grateful to be on this territory.

The Government of Canada has declared September 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is an important step in the reconciliation process. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge our country’s history of systemic racism, recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and honour their victims, survivors, families, and communities.

Across the country, Canadians will face the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in different ways. For those impacted by ongoing trauma related to residential schools, it’s a day to seek healing and community. For others on a personal learning journey towards reconciliation, it’s a day to continue learning and to seek stories and teachings from Indigenous voices.

United Way British Columbia and United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) are committed to Indigenous reconciliation. Reconciliation is an opportunity for our organization and our network to honour Indigenous Peoples across this land by committing to acknowledge and work towards rectifying past wrongs. We have a responsibility as community-based organizations to increase our own understanding and help dismantle the legacy of colonialism.

United Ways serve and partner with Indigenous people in over 5,000 communities across the country, including here in B.C. We work with community experts to create more equitable access to supports and programs that enable opportunities for all people to reach their full potential.

On September 30 and every day, we seek to honour our Indigenous staff, partners, and volunteers here in British Columbia. We recognize the intergenerational trauma resulting from colonialism and the residential school system, and we hold space for you on your healing journey.

As we all consider personal journeys of reconciliation, there are many resources available to the public including Indigenous Residential School Survivors Society, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and Equal Futures Network.

With reverence,
Michael McKnight
President and CEO, United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island

Head Office, Burnaby, B.C., June 22, 2021: Six United Ways have merged as a single organization to increase impact in local communities around the province, including in Central and Northern Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Southern Interior, Trail and District, and East Kootenay.

The strategic transformation was guided by a shared mission to strengthen vital connections over the long term to create healthy, caring, inclusive communities. By merging, the six United Ways will share resources and expertise across six regions of the province. Four Regional Councils will ensure donations are maximized at the local level and the Chair of each Regional Council will sit on the Board of Directors.

“By coming together as one organization, we can help more people and make a bigger difference,” said Michael McKnight, CEO of the new organization. “We are excited to amalgamate as a single entity because we will be stronger together. This is the natural next step for us and will help ensure strong, healthy and caring communities.”

Learn more.

• United Way helps deliver 520 child car seats to Kootenay and Okanagan families
• United Way, partners buckle Okanagan kids into safety

• Displaced Ukrainians in need of housing
• United Way calls on B.C. residents to open their homes to displaced Ukrainians
• $34 million to help BC non-profit organizations
• Kelowna program aims to support incarcerated youth with brain injuries, prevent re-offending
• United Way, partners buckle Okanagan kids into safety

• United Way Offers “School’s Out” Summer Program
• Here’s a sneak peek at the United Way’s Ukrainian photography exhibition
• United Way supports youth projects across the Okanagan with funding

• B.C. aims to end ‘period poverty,’ expand access to menstrual products
• B.C.’s accessible period products problem prompts province-wide campaign
• How to reduce period poverty and stigma
• Period Promise looking to collect 700,000 menstrual products in BC
• UWBC aims to collect 700,000 menstrual products for its Period Promise campaign
• United Way to develop app with provincial funding for communities to request food
• United Way BC president says organization still focused on local not-for-profits after amalgamation

• Youth mental health & Indigenous supports in focus for latest round of United Way grants
• Support services expanded for Ukrainians fleeing violence

• Flood-torn communities of Fraser Valley to get $500K through United Way microgrants
• Over $22K raised for he United Way drive-thru breakfast so far in Penticton

• Announcing the finalists for the 2022 Business of Good Awards
• Second Nick’s Nook opens in North Delta
• City of North Vancouver to offer free menstrual products in some facilities around the city
• Joint investment makes educational aspirations possible for youth formerly in care

• SFU community contributes to BC flood relief efforts
• Coastal Community donates $25,000 for flood relief
• New Food Security Program In The Works For The Cariboo
• Elizabeth Fry Society’s Rent Bank providing grants to Merritt and area renters affected by flooding
• Okanagan youth initiative grants now open

• BC Together: How you can help flood-ravaged communities
• UFC donates $25,000 to flood relief efforts in Fraser Valley
• Little Libraries Scavenger Hunt comes to the North Shore
• Acts of local love: supporting your communities through philanthropy