Supporting the Unist’ot’en Healing Center

On February 21st, Gordon House will be directing proceeds from both Attic Thrift Store locations to the Unist’ot’en Healing Center. Learn more below.

As a society we are just beginning to confront our shared colonial past and present, and to address the longstanding wrongs inflicted on Indigenous people.

Gordon Neighbourhood House has made a commitment to learning about what it means to operate on unceded territory, and to recognizing past injustices towards Indigenous peoples. Our work to address these longstanding wrongs are guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls to Justice. . Our societal obligations are outlined by the Constitution of Canada and by landmark decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada. An honourable and just approach must include respect and recognition of Indigenous law, governance and institutions.

‘Truth and Reconciliation’ starts with ‘Truth’, and so we acknowledge that forced removal of Indigenous peoples from their territory is deeply embedded within Canadian history. This history stretches from Gunboat Justice to Gustafsen Lake, from Indian Residential Schools to the Oka Crisis, from the Ipperwash Crisis to the Burnt Church Crisis and now, to the egregious treatment of Wet’suwet’en leadership, elders, matriarchs and land defenders.

The Gordon House team has unanimously agreed that if we are to meaningfully pursue ‘Truth and Reconciliation’, we must speak up these moments. As such, we affirm our deepest respect for the Wet’suwet’en leadership peacefully asserting jurisdiction over their unceded territory.

The Wet’suwet’en people have shown significant leadership in supporting individuals to heal from intergenerational trauma. This work has happened in large part through the Unist’ot’en Healing Center. Built in 2015, the Healing Center has hosted addiction programs, women’s groups, cultural workshops and language schools. Grounded in the principle of connection to land, the Healing Centre has provided life-saving support to many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people on their healing journey – including members of our own Downtown community.

As a place-based organization that deeply believes in every person’s right to heal, we honor and respect the work and approach of the Unist’ot’en Healing Center. That’s why on February 21st, 2020, Gordon House will directing all proceeds from both Attic Thrift Store locations to the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre. We ask you to join with us in this important initiative. For store hours, please click here.

In the coming weeks and months, we will be hosting more educational events related to this topic for our community to learn and grow. We are proud to work in partnership with our community — please email us at welcome@gordonhouse.org if you’d like to get involved or if we can support an event of your own.