Decolonization Archives - Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia

Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is on September 30th. This day is a time to listen, learn, and reflect on the injustices experienced by Indigenous children in residential schools, and the lasting impacts on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities — while honouring their resilience and strength. Across our…

Decolonization | Group

National Indigenous History Month

National Indigenous History Month Journey of Listening, Learning, and Sharing At ANHBC neighbourhood houses, we are committed to listening, learning, and sharing our insights as we actively work towards decolonization. We believe in fostering a deep understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions. Our transformation work is guided by the values and teachings…

Decolonization | Group

The Story of Orange Shirt Day

* Content warning * This post contains information about residential schools. For helplines and support, scroll to the end. When Phyllis Webstad was six years old, her grandmother gave her a shiny, new orange shirt. She wore it proudly on her first day of mission school. When she arrived, the staff took away her…

Decolonization | Group

Beyond Orange Shirt Day

* Content warning * This post contains information about residential schools. Honouring Orange Shirt Day: A Journey of Unlearning and Reflection Monday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation). Throughout September neighbourhood houses and communities come together to honour residential school survivors and the children who were never able to…

Decolonization | Group

In Preparation For Orange Shirt Day

* Content warning* This post contains information about residential schools. For helplines and support, scroll to the end. This Saturday is Orange Shirt Day, a day to mourn the suffering inflicted on Indigenous children in Residential Schools. In May 2021, 215 unmarked graves of children were recovered at the site of the former Kamloops…

Decolonization | Group | Participant | Summer Story Series | Youth

Indigenizing Our Places & Spaces

Gordon Neighbourhood House (GNH) is tucked away in the community now known as the West End of Vancouver, up from the shores of Yulkshun (Squamish place name for English Bay) and walking distance from X̱wáy̓x̱way (Squamish Village in Stanley Park). Surrounded by a dense and vibrant intergenerational community, the Neighbourhood House is a gathering place…

Finding My Purpose

Aaniin, boozhoo, indinawemaaganidook. Natasha Meryl Miskwaa Dibik Giizis nindizhnikaaz. Mikinak nindodem. Michi Saagiig nindoonjiibaa. Hello, all my relatives. My name is Natasha Meryl Miskwaa Dibik Giizis. Turtle is my totem. Michi Saagig is where I am from. My role within ANHBC is Program Coordinator of the Indigenous Youth Employment Program (‘IYEP’), through Frog Hollow Neighbourhood…

Belonging in Unceded Territory

Belonging in Unceded Territory is a project that deeply explores and questions our situation as uninvited guests on the unceded and stolen territories of the Coast Salish peoples. It asks us how we reconcile the fact that we are settling here on a land that is not our ancestral land, and whose people never gave…

Impact: Decolonization

Our next story from our Summer Series comes from Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, and is shared by Norm Leech. Neighbourhood houses across the Lower Mainland have the honour of deep and ongoing relationships with Norm Leech (T’it’q’et, St’at’imc Nation), Executive Director of the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre. Norm is a leader and facilitator who…

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