In light of the graves of 1,323 children found in old residential school sites on Turtle Island, Appleseed stands in solidaritiy with the Indigenous Peoples of our Nation on July 1st, 2021. 🧡
We are not celebrating Canada Day today. They are 1323 children. Buried in schoolyards. And the number will rise.
Today we invite you to join us in reflecting on the effects of colonialism on our nation.
Appleseed has received questions from our community asking us: “How do I share these atrocities with my children? They need to know, but I don’t want to traumatize them.”
Here’s what we say:
1) When talking to your kids: Don’t skirt around the issue. Use straightforward language that they understand, and also don’t describe the events in detail. Kids know much more than we think and when we aren’t straight with them they get confused and may sense talking about it as being wrong. Talking about the truth isn’t wrong. Genocide is. Usually around age 4 a child becomes very interested in death and it’s important we use this as an opportunity to talk openly and honestly about death, as a part of life.
2) Do the work yourself, and don’t hide your experiences: Let yourself sob while reading about these truths to your kids. Heaven knows this is me every time I read a justice-focused book to the boys. I am learning about all of this right alongside of them, and it’s important that they see that. How is Mom processing it? How do I feel about it?
3) Listen to indigenous kids music: We have put together an Indigenous Kids Songs on Spotify playlist for you and your children, check it out with intention in your hearts.
4) Post an Orange Square on your social media feed: Take time to decenter yourself and follow new indigenous-based feeds. Unfollow other feeds that aren’t serving you or your family anymore.
5) Read to them: See below Appleseed’s top choices on books about Residential Schools to get you started. We highly suggest subscribing to Raven Reads. Otherwise your library should have these materials and if they don’t - request they acquire these books!
-When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson • Julie Flett
-Shi Shi Etko by Nicola Campbell • Kim Lafave
-Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton • Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton
-Stolen Words by Melanie Florence • Gabrielle Grimard
-Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad • Brock Nicol
Navigating these waters alongside you so we can grow evolved children,
Megan