Dear Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers, Researchers, and Board members

Greetings, Boozhoo and Bonjour,

As June wraps up, I wanted to send a quick blog out and reconnect before many of you take time off to recharge. As well, I know many of you are working through the summer, enabling others to take holidays; I would like to acknowledge and thank you on behalf of the entire organization – working together, supporting one another… we are stronger.

This has been a year like none other. As we reflect back on the past year, there is so much to think about. A year of accomplishment and a year of pride, while also a year of suffering, emotion and loss.
We have much to be proud of in terms of our many accomplishments and I encourage you to reflect on the strength of our team and view the highlights in our annual reports: TBRHSC Annual Report 2020/21 & TBRHRI Annual Report 2020/21.

I know many of you are approaching Canada Day differently this year by reflecting on the horrific news we have recently heard about undocumented residential school deaths and unmarked graves. These revelations have caused intense grief and sadness for so many and have brought these truths into awareness for those who have not been educated.

Please know that TBRHSC is committed to actions to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. Flags at our Hospital are being flown at half-mast until July 26th, one hour for each of the 751 lives that were lost, and in memory of the thousands of children who were sent to residential schools, for those who never returned home, and in honour of the families whose lives were irreversibly changed. Please take some time to honour those who never made it home from residential schools, as well as the survivors and their families who continue to live with and experience trauma across generations. A 24/7 national crisis line is available for survivors of residential schools and their families at 1-866-925-4419.

Whatever it is you choose to do this Canada Day and throughout the summer, I want to strongly encourage you to do it safely by continuing to follow provincial and public health directives on distancing, gatherings, and mask-wearing. While we have a come a long way with cases down and vaccinations rolling out, there is much we still don’t know in terms of variants and how they impact people, including those who have been vaccinated.

On behalf of myself and the entire Senior Team, thank you again for all your hard work, compassion, and endurance the past 16 months during the pandemic. Your constant willingness to go above and beyond has not gone unnoticed.  I am proud of our entire team for taking on the challenges. I hope each one of you will be able to safely enjoy time this summer with your family and friends – doing what it is that helps you to relax and recharge. 

As always, I welcome comments on this blog or any other matter. You can reach me at: crockerelr@tbh.net.

Rhonda