A Brief History of The Kindness Project
In March 2019, SSHS launched The Kindness Project, a response to the lateral violence that impacts First Nations communities. The campaign, which was supported by branded T-shirts, bags, and water bottles, was built around a website featuring resources to support people on their journeys towards practicing lateral kindness. Among these resources was a pledge to practice kindness that people could print, sign and post in their homes or work places, recordings, window decals and a series of inspirational posters.
One poster from the campaign, How to Live a Decolonized Life, went viral and was shared more than 150,000 times around the word before the project officially launched. This poster was later developed as a 5” x 7” magnet distributed to SSHS households. Another project success was The Kindness Project CD, which received international recognition. In November 2019, The Kindness Project: Lateral Kindness won the Native American Music Award—also known as a NAMMY—for Best Historical or Linguistic Recording. The recording is a mix of songs sung in Ucwalmícwts and English and three narratives illustrating Stl’atl’imx life pre-colonization, during the Indian Residential School years and the present.
A second recording of prayers and meditations titled Ancestral Wisdom was released in 2021.In early 2024, SSHS closed this campaign.
Key resources from The Kindness Project can be downloaded below. Scroll down and have a look.
Kúkwstum̓ckál̓ap to everyone who took supported The Kindness Project. Let the kindness continue!
Posters to Print and Post at Home or Work
Recordings to Download and Enjoy
NAMMY-winning stories and traditional and modern Stl’atl’imx songs by Stl’atl’imx Friends. Includes songs by Leroy Joe. Released 2019.
A collection of Stl’atl’imx-enhanced guided meditations and prayer. Includes Ernie Thevarge’s Prayer. Released 2021.
The Kindness Pledge to Print, Sign and Post at Home or Work
12 Ways You Can Show Your Commitment to Kindness
1. Visit an Elder.
2. Help a child with their homework.
3. Ask someone how they are and then really listen to their answer.
4. Hug someone who looks a little down.
5. Send out a kind “for no special reason” email or text to someone you care about.
6. Hold open the door for the person behind you.
7. Make peace with someone that has hurt you.
8. Give your time to a friend or someone who needs it.
9. Greet others with a smile and a hello.
10. Say “I love you” a little more often to your family and friends.
11. Pause before you speak, and choose words with positive intention,
12. Give people the benefit of the doubt.