On Sunday, August 16 2026 I will be racing the Squamish 50 km ultramarathon taking place on the traditional and unceded territories of Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Peoples. This will be the most challenging race I'll have ever attempted, as it will be both my longest and highest elevation run yet with over 2500 meters total, because I guess making it 50km long just wasn't outrageous enough already

To encourage the recognition of historical and ongoing complicity in settler colonialism and incite discussion and reflection in my community about how we and those around us can support reconciliation as settlers (and also to put all the soreness and pain I'll be putting myself through towards a good cause!), I am raising money for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS).

Donate however much you can if you are able and feel free to follow along on my Instagram and my Strava, where I'll be posting training updates, donation milestones, and educational resources for fellow settlers over the next few months in the lead-up to race day!

https://www.instagram.com/deventschel

https://www.strava.com/athletes/devin_hentschel

Thank you so much in advance and happy trails to everyone! Below is some information on IRSSS and the history of residential schools, taken from the IRSSS website: https://www.irsss.ca/

SUPPORTING HEALING, HONOURING SURVIVORS

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity committed to supporting Survivors and their families on their healing journeys. Since 1994, they have provided culturally sensitive services—including counselling, advocacy, and community outreach—to support people who identify as Indigenous that have been directly or indirectly impacted by Indian residential schools and colonial systems to attain spiritual, emotional, cultural, and physical healing that sustains their wellness and that of future generations.

WHAT ARE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS?

More than just schools, these institutions were sites of forced separation, cultural suppression, and suffering. Indigenous children were forbidden to speak their languages, subjected to religious instruction, and made to perform labour such as farming, cooking, and cleaning. Many endured physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse, as well as malnutrition and neglect.

The first residential school in British Columbia, St. Mary’s, opened in 1861. By 1879, attendance became mandatory under government policies designed to erase Indigenous identity. The last Indian Residential School in BC closed in 1984, but the damage continues to impact Indigenous communities today.

Over 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forcibly taken from their families and placed in Indian Residential Schools across Canada. Many suffered from starvation, disease, and abuse, with mortality rates in some schools reaching as high as 60% over five years. Thousands of children never returned home. The search for unmarked graves is ongoing, revealing the true scale of this tragedy.

Reports as early as 1907 exposed the neglect and harm within these institutions, yet government policies remained unchanged for decades. The effects of these schools continue to be felt across generations.

WHY IS THIS HISTORY IMPORTANT TODAY?

The effects of Indian Residential Schools did not end when they closed. The trauma experienced by Survivors has been passed down through generations, impacting families, mental health, and cultural identity. Acknowledging this history is essential for healing, reconciliation, and ensuring Survivors receive the support they need.

The trauma of residential schools extends beyond those who attended. This intergenerational trauma has led to ongoing challenges, including high rates of mental health struggles, substance use, and family violence in Indigenous communities. The loss of safety, stability, and cultural connection continues to shape the lives of Survivors and their descendants.

Residential schools forcibly separated children from their families, stripping them of their languages, traditions, and ways of life. Many Indigenous people are still working to reclaim their heritage, facing challenges in reconnecting with their languages and cultural practices. Despite this, resilience and cultural revitalization remain strong.

Healing from the impacts of residential schools is a long and ongoing process. Many Survivors and their families continue to struggle, yet culturally appropriate emotional and cultural support remains limited. Acknowledging the past, amplifying Survivor voices, and increasing access to these resources are essential steps toward reconciliation and collective healing.

THE ROLE OF IRSSS IN HEALING AND RECONCILIATION

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) supports Survivors and their families as they navigate the lasting impacts of residential schools. Through culturally sensitive crisis support, counselling and resource referral, IRSSS helps individuals heal from intergenerational trauma and reconnect with their identities.

Their work is rooted in recognizing the pain and loss caused by residential schools while fostering resilience, healing, and hope. Through education, advocacy, and Survivor-centered care, IRSSS contributes to ongoing efforts for truth, reconciliation, and the preservation of Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultures.