Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association’s Post

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation here in Canada. For those who may not be familiar with one of the darkest events in our history (as well as in the US), the Canadian government worked with various Christian religious groups under the 1876 Act to Promote the Gradual Assimilation of the Indian Tribes of Canada. It's exactly what it sounds like. Kids were taken away from their families to be taken to a boarding school to unlearn their heritage, history, and culture. They were malnourished and essentially starved, they were forced to live in cramped quarters which allowed illnesses such as Tuberculosis to thrive, they weren't allowed to see their parents or family ever again, and their parents/family were never informed of their child's death as a policy. This doesn't even include the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse they endured. Sadly, the estimate of children who died as a result of Residential Schools is over 6,000 though there could be way more. And one of the scariest things is that these schools existed until 1996 - not even 30 years ago. That's "just" the Residential School system, and there is still an extremely long way to go with Truth and Reconciliation as there are people who deny that the Residential Schools were evil. Outside of the Residential School system, there was the Sixties Scoop in both Canada and the US where children were taken from their communities and placed under adoption with non-Indigenous, middle-class families as another way to assimilate them. In 2022, almost 54% of children in foster care in Canada are Indigenous because of poverty and discrimination. Canada passed a motion in 2022 acknowledging it committed genocide in the case of the Residential Schools, but the reparations are nowhere near what they should be considering the amount of Reservations that are still under long-term boil water advisories (over 30). Enough is enough. We should ALL be angry and sad that this is a part of our history and that the abhorrent treatment of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and other Indigenous peoples across Canada continues to this day. Here are some resources where you can read about this history and make a donation to help Residential School Survivors: https://downiewenjack.ca/ (Downie Wenjack Fund) https://www.irsss.ca/ (Indian Residential School Survivors Society) Miigwech🧡 🧡 🧡 #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #NationalDayForTruthAndReconciliation

🌟 Let's Shine a Light on Youth Homelessness! 🌟 As someone who has experience working in the youth sector, I've witnessed firsthand the significant barriers young people face when trying to secure accommodation. Many of them lack the resources to navigate services independently and rely heavily on support from non-profit organizations (NFPs/NGOs). Consider this: In 2022–23, more than 38,000 young people aged 15–24 presented alone to a homelessness service. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for action. This Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, let's unite to raise awareness and drive meaningful change. #YHMD24 is a national day that sparks conversations and action around child and youth homelessness. It's a day to recognize the resilience of young people and push for sustainable solutions to support them. Join us in making a difference: 📢 Raise Awareness: Spread the word about YHMD and the realities of youth homelessness. 💡 Get Involved: Organize or participate in YHMD activities in your community. Register your event with Yfoundations and access our campaign kit for ideas and resources. ✍️ Sign the Petition: Advocate for a standalone National Child and Youth Homelessness and Housing Plan by signing Yfoundations petition. 💰 Make a Donation: Support NFP/NGO's efforts to end youth homelessness by donating. Please see below for some events that may be held in your local LGA. #YouthHomelessness #homelessness

We've been able to add a special summer session of our in-demand Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry training on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. ET from July 11 to August 15. If you’ve been wondering how your church or ministry can help those asking for financial assistance without hurting them, this training is for you. During Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to develop a holistic, relationship-focused benevolence ministry that addresses material poverty in transformational ways. There are many reasons why churches and ministries struggle to develop and implement an effective benevolence ministry, including: ❌ Feeling overwhelmed by the needs in their community ❌ Feeling powerless to help people in the “right way” ❌ Feeling frustrated because long-term change is hard to see ❌ Feeling afraid of enabling people Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry will help you move beyond these challenges to lay a biblical foundation, gather a team of people to help, and create processes to sustain your benevolence ministry. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Register for Helping without Hurting in Benevolence Ministry today ➡️ https://lnkd.in/enxEByMD P.S. Register by July 3 to get the early bird discount!

Thank you for joining us for a conversation with Kimberly Murray, the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children, Unmarked Graves, and Burial Sites. She presented her report's findings as well as ongoing efforts to confront and celebrate the legacy of Indigenous children lost in Canada's residential school system. She also proposed a new legislative framework to identify, safeguard, and remember the children and their burial sites. The following are some of the points she discussed: 1. Barriers and Denialism in Uncovering Truths - Identified a lack of national legal and financial support for communities searching for missing children and unmarked graves and towards bringing them home to their communities. -Challenges of denialism throughout Canada, with some individuals spreading falsehoods or sensationalizing survivors' stories, highlighting the importance of Leah Gazan's proposed bill against residential school denialism. 2. Obligations and the Case for Accountability -Murray's report presents 42 obligations for the Canadian government, not recommendations, to address past injustices and support Indigenous healing. - Advocates for Canada's accountability, especially regarding withheld records and the need for the government to fund the repatriation of remains. 3. Documenting Evidence and Addressing Genocide - Her report, Sites of Truth, Sites of Conscience, documents evidence of crimes against humanity, including photos, death certificates, records of unmarked graves, and more. - Emphasizes the importance of publicly showing this evidence to inform Canadians, combat denialism, and honour the children's stories. 4. Support for Indigenous-Led Healing and Justice -Murray stresses the need for Indigenous wellness programs and land-based healing, which cannot happen without truth recognition. - Calls for sustained funding and restitution from Catholic faith communities, including property sales and document release, to support communities. 5. Public Awareness and Collective Responsibility - Urges Canadians to read the full report, watch the National Gathering video, and understand the realities of past abuses, emphasizing that truth and justice are crucial for meaningful reconciliation.  Watch the event recording here: https://lnkd.in/eJiJ3gkW #truthandreconciliation #equality #justice #community #communityengagement #humanrights #advocacy

🧡 Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 🧡 On this day, we honor the survivors, families, and communities affected by the residential school system and the ongoing impacts of colonialism. It’s a moment to reflect, learn, and commit to the healing and reconciliation process with Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Here are ways you can support: Educate Yourself: Learn the history of residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Listen to Indigenous Voices: Engage with Indigenous content creators, authors, and artists who share their stories and perspectives. Support Indigenous-led Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with groups dedicated to Indigenous rights, like the Orange Shirt Society, the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, or the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. Wear Orange: Show your support by wearing an orange shirt, symbolizing that every child matters. Amplify Indigenous Stories: Use your platform to share information, resources, and stories from Indigenous communities. Reconciliation is a journey we take together. Let’s commit to listening, learning, and acting toward a better future for all Canadians. 🧡 #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #IndigenousRights

Why Support the Catholic Ministries Appeal? Investing in the Catholic Ministries Appeal isn't just about giving back; it's also a smart business move. Supporting vital community programs fosters a stronger, more vibrant society, which benefits everyone, including local businesses. By contributing to the Appeal, you're not only making a positive impact on lives but also helping to build a thriving environment where businesses can flourish. It's a win-win for both your community and your business's success. https://lnkd.in/efiHTCRt #CommunitySupport #BusinessGrowth #CatholicMinistriesAppeal

We are an organisation on the front line, fighting against social ills, providing those in Impoverished areas with the resources they need to get up each day and make a difference in their own lives and those around them. Our focus areas are Education, Health, Nutrition, Housing, Skills Development, Talent Development and Job placement, our holistic approach has been proven over the past 5 years, as we took those we serve from a place of absolute despair to one of hope and success. Our Challenge today is to all corporates, individuals, and retailers to take on the mantle of support and change, we are taking on these challenges daily, 68% of South African homes are without fathers leading to gangsterism and addiction, 40% of South Africans go to bed hungry and half of South African children drop out of school. We provide the solution and prove that our Holistic Approach takes a high school drop out from Drop Out to Graduate, daily meals are provided, and we raise up youth to step in as fathers. My ask is that you align your Brand with us and show SA you care about the future of all those living in abject poverty. Option 1 : Donate (https://lnkd.in/dAbzW4GC) Option 2 : Ongoing - (https://lnkd.in/dKcyhaHy)

🌟 What Does Peace Mean to You? 🌍 At the Practice of Peace Foundation, we believe peace starts with understanding. It’s in the small acts, the big movements, and everything in between. 💭 Tell us: What does peace mean to you? Is it... ✔️ A safe and loving community? ✔️ Freedom to express and live without fear? ✔️ Justice and equality for all? 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments! Let’s start a conversation about how we can practice peace together. ✨ Join us in building a more harmonious world. Learn how you can get involved: www.practiceofpeace.org #PracticeOfPeace #PeacefulLiving #CommunityConversation #SocialImpact #TogetherForPeace

Let’s hope so - access to quality housing is the foundation of a successful society

In the deeply rooted communities of Africa, preachers face a pressing dilemma. Wars, the pandemic, and climate-induced disasters are forcing these spiritual leaders to juggle between their calling and survival. The essence of their mission, as Paul highlighted in Acts 20:28, is shadowed by the struggle for daily sustenance. PACT Missionaries' Preacher Support initiative is our response to this crisis. We aim to secure USD$300 monthly for each preacher, totaling USD$810,000 over three years, to support 100 preachers. This effort will empower them to focus on ministry and community growth, rather than survival. Your contribution can light up paths for these shepherds, ensuring they continue to guide their flocks without financial burden. Support PACT's mission to uplift these pillars of faith. #PACTPreacherSupport #FaithLeaders #CommunityGrowth #DonateNow #SpiritualGuidance #Acts2028 #AfricanMinistry #SupportPreachers #UpliftCommunities #EmpowerMinistry