Letter from Patricia Stirbys and Peter Croal, Co-Founders of the National Healing Forests Initiative
Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal Hears Testimony on Residential Schools and Missing Indigenous Children in Montreal
To Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Healing Forest Creators and Visionaries:
From May 25–29, 2026, an important international forum took place in
Tiohtià/Montreal, where residential school Survivors, Indigenous families,
Elders, advocates, researchers, and human rights experts gathered to present
testimony before the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT) on Missing
Indigenous Children and Unmarked Graves in Canada. The tribunal was
hosted by the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and focused on the legacy
and ongoing impacts of Canada’s residential school system.
The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal is an independent international tribunal
founded in 1979 to examine situations where communities believe that serious
human rights violations have not been adequately addressed by governments
or existing legal institutions. While its decisions are not legally binding, the
Tribunal seeks to create an authoritative public record, amplify the voices of
affected peoples, and evaluate evidence through the lens of international
human rights law. Over the past four decades, it has conducted hearings
around the world on issues involving Indigenous rights, environmental justice,
war crimes, and other human rights concerns.
The Montreal session was convened in response to requests from Indigenous
organizations and communities seeking international examination of Canada’s
role in the residential school system, the disappearance and deaths of
Indigenous children, and the existence of unmarked burial sites. Organizers
assembled extensive documentary evidence and expert testimony to support
the proceedings. The hearings also explored related issues, including forced
sterilization, cultural destruction, and ongoing barriers to truth, accountability,
and justice.
Throughout the week, Survivors courageously shared personal experiences of
separation from family, loss of language and culture, physical and sexual
abuse, loneliness, and lifelong trauma resulting from their time in residential
schools. Journalists, scholars, legal experts, and community leaders also
testified about the broader impacts of these policies on Indigenous families
and Nations. Many speakers emphasized that the consequences of these
harms continue to be felt today through intergenerational trauma and the
ongoing search for truth regarding missing children and unmarked graves.
At the conclusion of the hearings, the international panel of judges issued a
preliminary and draft opinion stating that the evidence presented supported
findings that Canada had committed genocide and crimes against humanity
against Indigenous Peoples through residential schools and related colonial
policies. The judges concluded that practices such as forced removal of
children, cultural destruction, abuse, disappearances, and systemic violations
of Indigenous rights met the threshold of serious international rights issues.
They further observed that many witnesses described these harms as
continuing rather than solely historical.
The Tribunal’s preliminary findings are not legally enforceable; however, they
carry moral and international significance. Organizers hope the process will
contribute to public education, support Survivors and families in having their
experiences heard, and strengthen calls for accountability and implementation
of long-standing recommendations from Indigenous-led inquiries and
commissions.
A final written judgment is expected to be released on September 30, 2026,
the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This report will provide the
Tribunal’s full legal analysis, findings, and recommendations after the judges
complete their review of the extensive evidence presented during the Montreal
hearings.
For many participants, the week was not only a legal and human rights
proceeding but also an act of remembrance and truth-telling. The testimony
offered by Survivors and families served as a powerful reminder that
reconciliation requires more than acknowledgement—it requires listening,
accountability, and a commitment to honouring the children who never
returned home and the generations who continue to carry the impacts of these
policies.
National Healing Forests Initiative
As members and partners of the National Healing Forests Initiative, we
recognize the courage of the Survivors, families, Elders, and witnesses who
shared their experiences before the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal in Montreal.
Their testimony contributes to a growing body of truth-telling that honours the
children who never returned home and acknowledges the lasting impacts of
residential schools on Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities.
Healing Forests across Canada serve as living places of remembrance,
reflection, learning, and reconciliation. The stories shared during the Tribunal
remind us that the work of healing is ongoing and that remembrance must be
accompanied by a commitment to justice, education, and respectful
relationships.
We encourage members of the National Healing Forests Initiative network to
follow the release of the Tribunal’s final judgment, expected on September 30,
2026, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The findings and
recommendations may provide important opportunities for learning, dialogue,
and renewed action in support of truth, healing, and the Calls to Action of the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
As we continue our collective journey, we honour the children, Survivors,
families and communities whose voices guide this work. May your Healing
Forests remain places where memory is preserved, truth is spoken and future
generations are inspired to build a more just and compassionate country.
In deepest gratitude,
Patricia Stirbys
Peter Croal
Co Founders of the National Healing Forests Initiative
It’s the nature of a forest to heal
https://www.nationalhealingforests.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy6njt8S8WY(one minute)