Recognizing that the ongoing healing from residential schools would be needed well-after its ten-year mandate had expired, the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation discussed ways to continue supporting holistic and community-based healing projects. It was decided that the creation of a national charity was the best way to achieve this goal.

The Aboriginal Healing Charitable Association was established in July 2000 by the Board of Directors of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. It was given the mandate to raise funds for the purpose of providing financial assistance:

• for projects that addressed the healing needs of all Aboriginal peoples affected by the legacy of abuse of residential schools;
• to educate the public about the legacy of residential schools;
• for research that assisted in increasing understanding of the nature and effects of residential schools, and for the creation of a resource centre to house this research; and
• to foster spiritual and healing practices amongst Aboriginal peoples.

In 2001, the name of the organization was changed to the Legacy of Hope Foundation.   Over the next few years, the Foundation developed a number of projects that not only assisted Aboriginal people overcome the devastating effects of the Residential School System, but also educated the public about this largely told part of Canadian history.   These projects included working with Aboriginal communities to collect and preserve the stories of Residential School Survivors, including Intergenerational Survivors, and documenting the history and legacy of residential schools through a touring archival photo exhibition.

Despite the success of these projects, it became clear early in its mandate that the original goal of continuing the work of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation was not realistic.   Engaging Canadians on the issue of residential schools proved more difficult than expected as many were unaware of the existence of residential schools, and of their relevance to today and to the lives of all Canadians. As a result, few saw the need to donate in the amount that would be necessary to enable the Foundation to achieve its goals.

Given these realities, the Board of Directors and staff of the Legacy of Hope Foundation held a strategic planning session in 2005 in order to re-assess its operations and to clearly outline the direction of the organization for the next 5 years.   After deliberating on how to best address the legacy of residential schools, the mandate of the Foundation was updated to better address its operating environment and to reflect its organizational capacity and expertise.   Our focus is now on the development and implementation of programming that educates Canadians about the legacy of residential schools and that also supports the ongoing healing process of Survivors.  

Mandate  

The Legacy of Hope Foundation is a national Aboriginal charitable organization whose purpose is to educate and create awareness and understanding about the legacy of residential schools, including the effects and intergenerational impacts on First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and to continue to support the ongoing healing process of Residential School Survivors.   Fulfilling this mandate helps promote reconciliation between generations of Aboriginal peoples, and among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.  

This mandate is achieved by:

• designing, developing, delivering and distributing educational programming;
• working in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, communities and organizations; and
• partnering and creating alliances with the public and private sector, and with other stakeholders.   

 

Read our 08-09 annual report to learn more.		Read our 07-08 annual report to learn more.