Sixty Below

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)

Sixty Below addresses a lot of issues experienced by Indigenous people in Canada. Much of that history was explored during the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples which reported in 1996.
Several of its reports laid out the relationship between First Nations and settler society.
It can be found in Canada’s libraries and archives:
https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginal-heritage/royal-commission-aboriginal-peoples/Pages/final-report.aspx

Land Claims & Modern Day Treaties

Many of the characters in Sixty Below have some harsh words and/or some shattered expectations around land claims or modern day treaties. The Umbrella Final Agreement, along with four First Nation Final Agreements, were signed in 1995. Subsequent agreements were reached with another seven First Nations. Three are yet to conclude theirs and may never sign.
The agreements can be found on the sites of the various entities involved such as the Council of Yukon First Nations: https://cyfn.ca/agreements/umbrella-final-agreement/

The Yukon Government:

https://yukon.ca/en/umbrella-final-agreement

The Government of Canada:

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1297278586814/1542811130481

Much of the history of the claims and explainers on what self government means to Yukon First Nations people can be found on the Mapping The Way website:

https://www.mappingtheway.ca

And for various videos explaining what the agreements mean to First Nation people you can visit:
https://www.youtube.com/mappingtheway

Information on Colonization

Many of the pathologies Canada’s Indigenous peoples suffer stem from the colonization process and in particular the residential school system. It was designed to “kill the Indian in the child” and assimilate them into broader Canadian society. This effort was examined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You can find more on the government of Canada website:
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1450124405592/1529106060525

As a result of the commission’s report the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation was created. You can check its website here:

https://nctr.ca/

You can also find more information at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights:
https://humanrights.ca/

These reports led to the examination of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children, something that had been talked about but never examined. The government of Canada created a commission to examine the issue. The National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Find the final report here:

https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/

Ndoo Tr’eedyaa Gogwaandak (Forward Together) / Vuntut Gwitchin Stories

“These radio plays and script booklets are part of an innovative multi-year project that honours age-old storytelling traditions and Indigenous language revitalization. The Van Tat Gwich’in — “People of the Lakes,” referring to the Crow Flats area — are renowned storytellers, and do they ever have stories to tell. After all, they have survived for thousands of years in one of the toughest northern climates around. Their traditional territory in the north Yukon is vast, beautiful and unforgiving.”

– From Our Journey, Forward Together

Explore free radio play podcasts and script booklets from the north Yukon in Gwich’in and English, adapted from long ago and contemporary stories, here. Learn the story behind the stories: Shanaghàn Neekaii Nanaa’in Hah –Two Old Women and the Bushman, Vah Srigwehdli’ – The One Who Survived, Tl’oo Thał – Grass Pants and Ch’iitsii Khał Datl’oo – The Blue Cruiser, developed in a unique partnership between Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Gwaandak Theatre.

http://www.vuntutstories.ca/

Today’s government is looking toward reconciliation. As part of that it has created many resources for those effected by the raising of these past traumas. Here are a list of resources for those who may need them.

A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support for survivors and those affected by residential school traumas. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.

Support for Residential School Survivors and their Families is also available through:

• First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness, 24/7 Help Line: 1 (855) 242-3310
• The Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line: 1 (800) 721-0066
• British Columbia: 1 (877) 477-0775
• The northern Territories: 1 (800) 464-8106
• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868
• Native Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-877-209-1266

In the Yukon you can reach:

• The Committee on Abuse In Residential Schools Yukon 867-667-2247
• Rapid Access Counselling supports in Whitehorse and all Mental Wellness Substance Use community hubs at 867-456-3838.
• MWSU offers Rapid Access Counselling, available by appointment Monday through Friday in-person, virtually, or by phone at 867-456-3838 or toll-free at 1-866-456-3838.
• Canadian Mental Health Association, Yukon’s support line: 1-844-533-3030
• The CMHA offers drop-in counselling, accessible from Monday to Saturday in-person, virtually, or by phone at 867-668-6429.

Other national program resources include:

• Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645;
• Hope for Wellness at 1-855-242-3310;