Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Truth before reconciliation. Residential school denialism is rising alongside far-right disinformation. In April, we sat with Phyllis Webstad, Chief Willie Sellars and Dr. Sean Carleton to name what denialism hides and honour survivors, families, and communities carrying truth across generations.
Denialism is not abstract—it shapes policy, funding, and safety, disproportionately impacting Indigenous women and girls, Two-Spirit/2SLGBTQ+ people, youth, and people with disabilities.
We explore why truth must come before reconciliation; how denialism operates today; why language matters (e.g., saying people “partook” in residential schools erases violence and the absence of consent); and how far-right normalization shapes conversations about truth, justice, and Indigenous sovereignty now.
For those of us who are settlers—including many of us behind this account—here are concrete commitments:
⭐ Tell the truth, confront denialism, uphold FPIC, and shift resources and decision-making toward Indigenous leadership.
⭐ Keep learning / take action
⭐ Read Decolonization and Me (Phyllis Webstad)
shop.medicinewheelpublishing.com/products/decolonization-and-me-conversations-about-healing-a-nation-and-ourselves
⭐ Read A Knock on the Door: uofmpress.ca/books/a-knock-on-the-door
⭐ Watch Sugarcane (2024): sugarcanefilm.com
⭐ Follow NCTR for survivor-led truth and education: nctr.ca
⭐ Challenge denialism when you encounter it; support Indigenous-led movements for justice and sovereignty.
🧡 Thank you for choosing care over comfort, truth over denial, and relationships over performative reconciliation.
GUESTS:
Phyllis Webstad — Northern Secwépemc; Founding Member, Orange Shirt Day and Orange Shirt Society; residential school survivor, ambassador, author. You can find her here: orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story
Chief Willie Sellars — Williams Lake First Nation (T’exelc), Secwépemc Nation. You can find him here: wlfn.ca/about-wlfn/chief-council
Dr. Sean Carleton — Settler scholar; Associate Prof., History & Indigenous Studies; Associate Head, Indigenous Studies, UManitoba (Treaty 1 / Métis homeland). You can find him here: seancarleton.com and at @SeanCarleton on X https://x.com/SeanCarleton and BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/seancarleton.bsky.social
SUPPORT:
If you feel you need support, please reach out:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Former residential school students and their families
1-866-925-4419
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line
Individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
1-844-413-6649
Hope for Wellness Help Line
All Indigenous peoples in Canada
1-855-242-3310 (or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca)
Anywhere in Canada
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Languages: English and French
Hours: 24/7
Truth before reconciliation. Residential school denialism is rising alongside far-right disinformation. In April, we sat with Phyllis Webstad, Chief Willie Sellars and Dr. Sean Carleton to name what denialism hides and honour survivors, families, and communities carrying truth across generations.
Denialism is not abstract—it shapes policy, funding, and safety, disproportionately impacting Indigenous women and girls, Two-Spirit/2SLGBTQ+ people, youth, and people with disabilities.
We explore why truth must come before reconciliation; how denialism operates today; why language matters (e.g., saying people “partook” in residential schools erases violence and the absence of consent); and how far-right normalization shapes conversations about truth, justice, and Indigenous sovereignty now.
For those of us who are settlers—including many of us behind this account—here are concrete commitments:
⭐ Tell the truth, confront denialism, uphold FPIC, and shift resources and decision-making toward Indigenous leadership.
⭐ Keep learning / take action
⭐ Read Decolonization and Me (Phyllis Webstad)
shop.medicinewheelpublishing.com/products/decolonization-and-me-conversations-about-healing-a-nation-and-ourselves
⭐ Read A Knock on the Door: uofmpress.ca/books/a-knock-on-the-door
⭐ Watch Sugarcane (2024): sugarcanefilm.com
⭐ Follow NCTR for survivor-led truth and education: nctr.ca
⭐ Challenge denialism when you encounter it; support Indigenous-led movements for justice and sovereignty.
🧡 Thank you for choosing care over comfort, truth over denial, and relationships over performative reconciliation.
GUESTS:
Phyllis Webstad — Northern Secwépemc; Founding Member, Orange Shirt Day and Orange Shirt Society; residential school survivor, ambassador, author. You can find her here: orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story
Chief Willie Sellars — Williams Lake First Nation (T’exelc), Secwépemc Nation. You can find him here: wlfn.ca/about-wlfn/chief-council
Dr. Sean Carleton — Settler scholar; Associate Prof., History & Indigenous Studies; Associate Head, Indigenous Studies, UManitoba (Treaty 1 / Métis homeland). You can find him here: seancarleton.com and at @SeanCarleton on X https://x.com/SeanCarleton and BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/seancarleton.bsky.social
SUPPORT:
If you feel you need support, please reach out:
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line
Former residential school students and their families
1-866-925-4419
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis Line
Individuals impacted by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
1-844-413-6649
Hope for Wellness Help Line
All Indigenous peoples in Canada
1-855-242-3310 (or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca)
Anywhere in Canada
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline
Languages: English and French
Hours: 24/7
