Events promoting residential-school denialism and anti-Indigenous hatred have been on the rise in recent years. These gatherings are not “debates,” as is claimed by the organizers – these are deliberate attempts to whitewash genocide, retraumatize Survivors, and fuel a political climate that increasingly normalizes hate.
As a community committed to truth, justice, and human rights, One Million Voices for Inclusion stands firmly with Survivors, Indigenous families, and all those resisting this rise in hate. We are calling for broad public support for Bill C-254, introduced by MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre), which creates specific protections against the public promotion of hate targeting Indigenous peoples.
“Denying or downplaying residential-school harms is not harmless debate — it retraumatizes survivors and fuels hatred. This bill would make such public hatred a criminal offence.” – Monique May
Public hatred against Indigenous peoples is not freedom of expression, it is violence. It creates real harm in our communities, it retraumatizes survivors, it emboldens white supremacy, it compromises justice, and it undermines ongoing healing and reconciliation efforts.
Right now, we have a chance to change that.
Bill C-254 is a concrete step toward justice – one that aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to confront denialism, protect Survivors, and uphold the integrity of historical truth. This bill has already made it through a first reading, as Bill C-413, in September of 2024, but was not able to progress further due to the prorogation of Parliament in January 2025. It has passed a first reading again but has not been scheduled for further progression, in spite of increasing incidences of “discussions” and “debates” which seek to deny the colonial harms done to Indigenous peoples. This is not just harm in the past, it’s harm happening now – and this is why your voice matters.
“Survivors deserve truth, respect and protection. Bill C-254 aims to hold public actors accountable when they promote denial and hatred against Indigenous peoples.” – Monique May
In the face of public hate, silence is complicity.
In the face of denialism, solidarity is our duty.
We urge community members, students, educators, and allies across our communities to:
• Speak out against residential-school denialism.
• Challenge disinformation wherever it appears.
• Complete the form below to write to your MP, to demand swift passage of Bill C-254.
One Million Voices for Inclusion — Rising together for justice, truth, and collective liberation