There is a deep history of collaboration and support between Black and Indigenous communities and movements. Some of this is due to a complex and interrelated shared history. The Nations of Canada, the United States and Mexico were born out of processes of colonization and slavery that seeded systemic racism that remains deeply rooted today. We have all been living in a pandemic of racism for centuries, and the cost has been millions of Black lives. Events over recent weeks have resulted in massive protests in every American state, and in dozens of other countries across the world. Black communities and their allies have had enough of state sponsored racism, structural violence and police brutality. Black Lives Matter. While much of the focus has been on the United States, we must also recognize the historical depth and contemporary impacts of anti-Black racism in Canada. Toronto, in particular, has a long and complex history that has seen members of the Black community disproportionately impacted by police violence. There are no words to describe the sadness we feel as this trend continues today.
At Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) we acknowledge that this is an unimaginably challenging time for Black members of the community. Many of our staff, partners, and the community members we serve are Black. We are unequivocal in our assertion that Black Lives Matter. We also recognize that statements of this sort are meaningless without corresponding action. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment at NCFST, where there is zero tolerance to racism and discrimination. We are also committed to engaging further with Black communities and organizations in the City of Toronto to better understand our role as an ally in opposition to structural violence, police brutality and anti-Black racism in our City.
NCFST stands in solidarity with Black members of our staff, partners and community.
#BlackLivesMatter