UBCIC Denounces Ongoing Residential School Denialism Campaign: Calls on Canada to Enshrine Legal Protections
Press Release
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh)/ Vancouver, B.C. – May 27, 2026) UBCIC was disappointed, disgusted and deeply concerned to learn that a Residential School denialist demonstration is planned at the B.C. Legislature today. UBCIC condemns the pattern of public demonstrations and publications questioning and downplaying the Residential School system and seeking to undermine active First Nations-led investigations under the guise of freedom of speech and academic freedom. We stand firmly and steadfastly with survivors and recognize their experience as truth.
The distortion of well-documented history about the harms of Residential Schools and its dissemination by public figures is not only distasteful and in bad faith but directly incites harm against survivors. We unequivocally support First Nations as they conduct in-depth and sensitive investigations into former Residential Schools and their missing children and respect their right to determine their own investigation practices in alignment with their cultural protocols.
UBCIC calls on all levels of government to take every measure to help bring missing children home from Residential Schools including supporting First Nations-led searches and healing supports, ensuring unhindered access to all remaining archival records, creating public education campaigns and legal protections against Residential School denialism.
Credible resources to learn more about Residential Schools:
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports and 94 Calls to Action
- UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre
- Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools Final Report
- Oscar-Nominated documentary Sugarcane
Mental health and cultural support resources can be found below:
First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line
Counselling Service offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada.
Toll-Free: 1-855-242-3310
http://www.hopeforwellness.ca
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Toll-free: 1-800-721-0066
KUU-US Crisis Line
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-8717
(First Nations and Indigenous specific)
310– Mental Health: 310-6789 (no area code)
Suicide Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433
-30-
Media inquiries:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, 250-490-5314
Chief Councillor Linda Innes, Vice-President, 778-884-5663
Chief Marilyn Slett, Secretary-Treasurer, 250-957-7721
UBCIC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
For more information, please visit www.ubcic.bc.ca
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