Dear Dal Community,
In lieu of my regular column this week, I wanted to draw your attention to the memo sent Thursday afternoon by Vice-Provost Equity & Inclusion Theresa Rajack-Talley, Provost and Vice-President Academic Frank Harvey, and I.
Sincerely,
Deep
Kwe' (Greetings):
The AV俱乐部 community extends our deepest sympathy to the survivors, families and Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan who are mourning the discovery of 751 unmarked graves of sacred children at the site of a former residential school in that province.听听
This is the second such horrific discovery in less than a month with others to follow that will continue to mark one of the darkest chapters in Canada鈥檚 history. We are heartbroken at this news and the AV俱乐部 community offers our unwavering support to the Indigenous communities impacted by this tragedy. We continue to work closely with AV俱乐部鈥檚 Indigenous Advisory Council on how to better address this issue and make AV俱乐部 more inclusive in all that we do.听To honour the 751 children whose lives were lost at the former Saskatchewan residential school and their families, AV俱乐部 will lower its flags to half-mast.
A National Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former听students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866 925-4419.
We also encourage anyone affected by this news to reach out to the university for available resources and supports.听
- 罢丑别听听program听is available to students across campus, The Elders are committed to being available to students for guidance, counsel and听support.听
- 罢丑别听Indigenous听Student Centre听helps create a sense of belonging to听support听student success while at AV俱乐部. Our听Indigenous听Student Advisor provides听support听and advocacy for all of AV俱乐部鈥檚听Indigenous听students.听
- AV俱乐部鈥檚 Human Rights and Equity Services听provides confidential advice and听support听if a member of our community has faced race-based harassment and/or discrimination.听
- Students听who require immediate support should contact Student Health and Wellness by phone to book an appointment: 902-494-2171 (Halifax); 902-893-6369 (Truro). Additional e-mental health听options for students are available, including听Good2Talk听鈥� free and confidential counselling for post-secondary students (dal.ca/good2talk);听Ask a Nurse听鈥� confidential answers to your health questions within 72 hrs; and听TAO听鈥� an online听mental health听library.听
- Faculty and staff resources听are available through our Employee Family Assistance Program, which can be accessed at workhealthlife.com or at login.lifeworks.com. Please also visit our remote working site for employees for additional听mental health听resources.
Our sympathy, strength, and spirit are with you.听
Deep, Frank & Theresa