YWCA Canada has apologized for its involvement in involvement in the operation of residential schools and Indian hospitals.
In a Dec. 11 news release, the organization details how it contributed to settler colonialism in the past.
"YWCA played a role in shaping the domestic science curriculum used in residential schools, which was designed to assimilate Indigenous girls into European-Canadian culture," the news release states. "The goal was to train Indigenous girls to become homemakers and follow European standards of domestic life."
The organization adds that it worked closely with Indian hospitals in the 1950s to support rehabilitation programs for Indigenous patients after their treatment. Indian hospitals were racially segregated hospitals for Indigenous people in the mid-20th century.
"These programs were designed to discourage Indigenous patients from returning their communities by promoting Euro-Canadian social norms," the news release reads.
Indigenous peoples' personal stories and experiences were not captured in YWCA's research on its past, the organization explained, noting that its work was also severely underfunded.
"Looking ahead, YWCA Canada is deeply committed to integrating truth-telling into all aspects of our work. This means listening to the stories of survivors and their families, learning from the past and sharing the full history of YWCASA国际影视传媒檚 relationships with Indigenous communities," the news release adds.
Yellowknife's YWCA offers services to women, girls and families in the city, including housing, after-school care and empowerment programs. It is one of 33 member organizations that comprise YWCA Canada, Canada's oldest and largest women's organization.
