The Toronto Maple Leafs got involved with an encouraging recent movement of NHL clubs who are paying tribute to the indigenous peoples of Canada who suffered greatly in residential schools.
Almost a year after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their report on Canada’s colonial history, the Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Edmonton Oilers have acknowledged the country’s role in these tragic events.
On Tuesday night, the Toronto club showed this video in the ACC during the intermission of the Oilers-Leafs game. The video also raised awareness for the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.
From the video:
Between the early 1880’s and 1996, over 150,000 indigenous children were systematically taken from their families. They were sent away to residential schools run by church organizations and funded by the Canadian government.
The children were forbidden to speak their language and practise their culture — they were forced to assimilate into “white Canada.”
We support reconciliation by investing in the lives of Indigenous youth across Canada each year.
Good on you, Leafs. Good on you, NHL.
