This message is sent on behalf of Christine Cyr, Associate Vice-President (Indigenous), Students, Community, and Cultural Integration & Laurie Schnarr, Vice-Provost (Students). ________________________________
Hello students,
It's been one week since we learned about the 215 little ones who didn't go home, and it has been a very hard week. We are grieving with you, and we are holding our communities close in our prayers. We are especially praying for the Survivors and the families of the little ones who did not come home.
We know that many of you are sad, angry, and shocked. Please know that we are holding space for you in many different ways. We are having Sharing Circles. Instructors have been opening up class time for talking about what we found out. We have a large community of staff and faculty who are here for you.
We have been checking in on many people in our community with phone calls, emails, and text messages too, and we know that you have been doing the same. That's what we do - we take care of each other. Please keep checking on each other.
Our Elders have been leading ceremonies this week and are available for one-on-one phone calls if you just need someone to talk to. They are so strong and have been teaching us how to get through this with their kind words and courageous stories. We are so grateful for them, and in saying that, we ask you to keep checking on the Elders in your circle - they are doing a lot of the heavy lifting right now.
When we can gather in person, we will. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves while you are taking care of others. Information about additional Indigenous cultural healing supports is available at this linkhttps://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-indigenous-cultural-healing-supports.pdf and in the attachments.
We are here for you.
Christine and Laurie
Christine Cyr (she/her) Laurie Schnarr (she/her) Associate Vice-President (Indigenous), Students, Vice-Provost (Students) Community, and Cultural Integration Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) 208 Administration Building 204.470.6572 204.474.6919
www.umanitoba.ca/indigenoushttp://www.umanitoba.ca/indigenous
We acknowledge and honour this Place where the University of Manitoba campuses are located. These are the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Christine is Métis and also has Anishinaabeg and Cree ancestors. She acknowledges her family and ancestors who have taken care of this land for thousands of years and commits to continue that legacy. Laurie is a white settler of English and German descent who is committed to walking alongside her Indigenous colleagues, friends and neighbours and doing the work that is necessary to honour the truth, right the wrongs, and contribute to lasting positive change.
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