Chiefs of Ontario call on healing for residential survivors and their communities not to be forgotten amidst push for economic projects
Press Release
(Toronto, Ont.—July 3, 2025) — The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) have adopted a resolution at the 2025 Annual Chiefs Assembly, calling on the Governments of Canada and Ontario to uphold their legal, political, and ethical responsibilities by providing adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding to support the healing journeys of residential school Survivors and the protection of associated unmarked graves and burial sites.
The resolution, moved by Chief Cheryl St Denis of Brunswick House First Nation and seconded by Proxy Councillor Marla Monague of Beausoleil First Nation, reinforces the urgent need for all levels of government to take immediate and concrete action to address the ongoing healing needs of residential school survivors and their communities.
“First Nations continue to lead the difficult but necessary work of truth, remembrance, and healing for our people,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “This work cannot—and should not—be impeded by unstable funding, bureaucratic barriers, or political inaction. The legacy of genocide through the residential school system requires an equally powerful response rooted in justice, truth, and reconciliation.”
The resolution reaffirms the Chiefs of Ontario’s firm support for all of the obligations outlined in the Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites 2024 Final Report.
The Chiefs in assembly also raised concern over recent provincial legislation—Bill 5: Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act—which could allow the Ontario Cabinet to bypass legal protections currently in place under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act. This could very likely threaten burial sites including the graves of children who never returned home from residential school. We have seen for centuries what happens when our sites are not protected. Our Ancestors are discarded or hidden because of the inconvenience and delay they cause developers. Bill 5 permits, whether intentional or not, the desecration of our sacred sites and allows for nefarious actors to conceal our Ancestors when uncovered.
“Bill 5 undermines the principles of lawful consultation, environmental due process, Inherent Rights, Aboriginal Title, and Treaty Rights” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige. “It is extremely distressing to see legislation that changes the Ontario Heritage Act and allows Ontario to steamroll development over our archeological and burial sites, if doing so aligns with Ontario’s economic priorities. This is not reconciliation – we need to uphold and protect the sacredness of our burial sites. Our people deserve a dignified burial and their families deserve a place for commemoration and healing. The residential schools closed; but our people still need healing. The intergenerational harm caused by the forced removal of children from their communities is not over.”
The Chiefs of Ontario will continue to advocate alongside Survivors, families, and communities to ensure that government uphold their obligations and provide funding to the work of identifying, documenting, maintaining, commemorating, and protecting unmarked residential school graves and cemeteries that is adequate, predictable, and continuous. The Chiefs of Ontario demand an immediate dismantling of internal bureaucratic barriers and delays to achieving adequate funding, supports and resources.
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The Chiefs of Ontario support all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ChiefsOfOntario.
Media Contact:
Isak Vaillancourt
Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org
Declan Keogh
Strategic Advocacy Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: (514) 591-5375
Email: declan.keogh@coo.org
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