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Dear Supporters,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to you on behalf of the Sixties Scoop Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the survivors of the Sixties Scoop. We believe that true reconciliation requires action, and we are reaching out to you today to ask for your support in our capital campaign.
As you may already know, the Sixties Scoop refers to a dark period in Canadian history when Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their families and placed into non-Indigenous homes across North America and overseas. This policy resulted in the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of these children, leaving lasting scars on their lives. This practice was a continuation of the assimilation policies that began with the residential school system, where Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and communities to be educated in institutions that aimed to erase their cultural identity. The Sixties Scoop had a profoundly damaging impact on Indigenous peoples in Canada, following the tragedy of residential schools.
By forcibly removing Indigenous children from their families and communities, the Sixties Scoop disrupted the transmission of cultural knowledge, language, and traditions from one generation to the next. Many children were placed in non-Indigenous homes where they were often disconnected from their cultural heritage and faced discrimination. This resulted in a loss of identity, disconnection from their Indigenous roots, and a profound sense of loss and dislocation.
Furthermore, the intergenerational effects of the Sixties Scoop are still felt today. Families and communities were fractured, and the loss of cultural continuity has had long-lasting impacts on Indigenous peoples. The trauma experienced by those who were taken from their families has been passed down through generations, leading to high rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and social problems within Indigenous communities. The Sixties Scoop remains a painful chapter in Canadian history, highlighting the ongoing impacts of colonization and the need for reconciliation and healing.
The Sixties Scoop Network based in Ottawa since 2014 has been committed to addressing the grievances of Sixties Scoop survivors and working towards healing and reconciliation. Our mission is to provide support, resources, and a safe space for survivors to share their stories, connect with others who have had similar experiences, and reclaim their cultural identity through language and ceremony. Currently we have no land or space to do this important work.
To further our mission, we are currently in need of various resources to establish a permanent location for our organization. We are seeking cash or in-kind donations to this campaign.
Key items in need and areas support will cover:
Deeds 1-3 acres of land
Large Shed
Wood burning camp stove
Picnic table
Compostable toilet
Small Modular Home
Running water
Electricity
Sixty foot garage
Lumbers
Tools
Firepit in ground
Raised garden beds medicine gardens
In kind storage unit
The action you take will help us provide services, ceremony and healing to Sixties Scoop survivors and their families and will be crucial to breaking the intergenerational trauma and begin healing. You can be part of righting the wrongs of Canadian history.
As we approach September 30th, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission day, we believe it is important to remember the past but also take meaningful action towards reconciliation. Wearing an orange shirt is a powerful symbol, but supporting organizations like ours allows us to turn words into action.
Financial support can be made by this link. For in-kind donations please contact us at sixtiesscoopmap@gmail.com or visiting our website https://sixtiesscoopnetwork.org/
Thank you for considering our request, and we look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
Colleen Hele Cardinal & Elaine Kicknosway
Sixties Scoop Network co founders