The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is unveiling a new partnership to acknowledge the tragic legacy of Indian Residential Schools (IRS) in Canada. SCO, together with Winnipeg based Corpell’s Water, is unveiling bottles with a powerful message to honour the children who attended the residential schools and launch a scholarship for Survivors and their descendants.
“I want to commend the leadership at Corpell’s for taking this significant step when it comes to remembering the children who attended the schools across our territory, and their commitment to raising awareness and scholarship funds,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “I am deeply appreciative when members of the business community show a commitment to meaningful reconciliation.”
Corpell’s Water has designed an Every Child Matters water bottle with a distinctive orange label. The bottles went on sale this month in retail settings across Manitoba. For each case of water sold Corpell’s will donate funds to a new endowed SCO Scholarship Fund at the University of Brandon, and SCO will match the donations up to $25,000.
“Like so many Canadians, we were devastated to witness the discovery of thousands of unmarked graves at former residential school sites over the past year,” said Kurt Friesen, President of Corpell’s Water. “We knew we wanted to do our part to honour those little ones, along with all survivors and their families. We cannot change the past, but we can do something to show we will never forget and that we will do what we can to rectify this horrific chapter in our country’s history.”
“It’s fitting that water forms the basis of this initiative,” added Chief Lola Thunderchild of Canupawakpa Dakota Nation. “First Nation people recognize water as a sacred gift that connects all life. We use it in ceremony and value it as the lifeblood of Mother Earth. I want to commend Corpell’s for using the gift of water to bring life to the post-secondary education dreams of IRS survivors and their relations in Manitoba.”
The limited edition bottles are available at Sobey’s, Food Fares, Red River Co-op Stores, Esso, One Stop in Selkirk, and the Brokenhead Community Store, with more stores to be announced and upcoming sales at summer festivals. Corpell’s Water plans to sell the bottles as long as there is demand.
While reusable water bottles are best, when bottled water is required, supporting a local business that promotes corporate social responsibility and gives back to the community is a good choice. SCO recognizes and honours Shoal Lake #40 in Treaty 3 Territory, the primary water source for Winnipeg.
Donations to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Every Child Matters Scholarship may be made to the Brandon University Foundation online at BrandonU.ca/Give, by phone to 204-727-7374 or 877-282-4483 or by mail to 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9.
The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 81,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
Corpell’s Water is a locally owned and operated bottled water delivery-service company committed to providing the purest, best tasting bottled water available in Manitoba and the finest customer service anywhere. With more than 25 years of experience, Corpell’s Water currently services more than 3,000 residential and office customers, along with corporate delivery customers and retailers throughout Winnipeg and southern Manitoba.
