The preservation of crucial historical documents from Canada’s residential schools faces a looming threat as some records are at risk of destruction in 2027. Tiana Vrbanik, in collaboration with the Anishinabek Mukwa Dodem, has taken a stand by petitioning the federal government to safeguard all residential school records.
Vrbanik emphasized the importance of understanding Canada’s full history, asserting that every individual residing in the country should acknowledge and learn from their past. The petition advocates for immediate actions to prevent the permanent loss of these records, ensure ongoing access for Indigenous communities, survivors, and the public, and allocate resources for archival and community initiatives.
Laura Arndt from the survivor’s secretariat highlighted the harrowing stories of abuse and trauma shared by survivors, underscoring the necessity of preserving these records to unveil the truth behind the atrocities of the residential school system.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation collected survivors’ testimonies between 2009 and 2015, but a ruling in 2014 mandated the potential destruction of these documents after 15 years. Survivors are urged to contact the NCRT before September 19, 2027, to safeguard their personal information and testimonies.
Vrbanik expressed concerns about survivors having to proactively request their own records and emphasized the significance of ensuring automatic access, akin to medical records, to uphold transparency and justice for affected communities.
The petition, aiming to secure the preservation of these crucial records, welcomes signatures until March 5, 2026, as a crucial step towards acknowledging the painful legacy of residential schools.