As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, we at Dan’s Legacy reflect on our commitment to supporting Indigenous youth and fostering healing within the community.
This day serves as a time to honour the survivors of the residential school system, and those who never returned home, and acknowledge the lasting impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples.
Approximately 40% of our clients are Indigenous youth, many of whom grew up disconnected from their culture. To help them heal and build a stronger connection to their culture, we offer Indigenous Cultural Workshops, facilitated by Indigenous Elders. These workshops reconnect at-risk Indigenous youth with their heritage through storytelling, song, and drum making, and provide a deeper understanding of Indigenous history. Helping our Indigenous clients connect to their culture via these workshops is critical to their emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being, and we are honoured to be working in partnership with Elders and other Indigenous advisors.
One of the ways we’ve done this recently is helping our community partner Collingwood Neighbourhood House with their Welcome Pole Figure Carving project. Indigenous youth taking part in Collingwood’s Indigenous Youth C.R.E.W program learned about traditional carving methods from Mike Billy (Master Carver, Sk?wx?wú7mesh Úxwumixw Nation) and Redmond Andrews (Apprentice, Líl?wat Nation). Artist Emil Thibert (Salteaux/Cree) provided carving workshops to the youth leading up to the project and organized delivery of the cedar pole to CNH; Dan’s Legacy contributed $15,000 to the project.
Dan’s Legacy’s Dan’s Diner catering team also prepared the buffet meal for Collingwood’s Truth and Reconciliation Day dinner on September 27th, thanking our friends for providing us their commercial kitchen space for a few weeks when our usual space at New Westminster’s Union Gospel Mission was under renovation. It serves as a perfect example of what it means to support one another in the community and we look forward to future collaborations, working together to help at-risk youth.
Dan’s Legacy is deeply committed to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, providing culturally sensitive services and working alongside Indigenous leaders to ensure representation at every level. By working together, we are building a community rooted in respect, healing, and a shared purpose — where every child matters and the path toward reconciliation is forged in collaboration.
If you or someone you know would benefit from our trauma-informed counselling or any of our wrap around services, please reach out today.