The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is to acknowledge the history and on-going impacts of residential schools in Canada. A time to reflect on the experiences of Indigenous peoples and communities, honouring the Survivors, their families, and the thousands of Indigenous children who did not return home.
Over 150,000 Indigenous children between the ages of 4 and 16 years old attended residential schools between the time the first school opened in 1831 and the time the final school closed in 1996. These schools had explicit intent to remove Indigenous children from their families, their language, and their culture.
The CityU community is encouraged to participate in honouring this important date by learning more about residential schools, by engaging with the events being held, and by taking action in ways that support reconciliation.
September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, a symbol of the orange shirt taken away by Phyllis Webstad on her first day of residential school. Read Phyllis’ story: https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/
Learn about residential schools and reconciliation in Canada:
Visit: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Read: AFN Plain Talk – Residential Schools
Watch: Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (APTN News)
Watch: Phyllis Webstad Orange Shirt Day Presentation
Listen: CBC Podcast – Kuper Island
Visit: Legacy of Hope Foundation
Visit: Government of Canada – Understanding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Community Events for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation:
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation FREE Public Lunch and Learns (September 25th – 29th)
APTN Live: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30th)
Actions to take:
There is no one way to take action towards reconciliation. But taking time to reflect on how to meaningfully support reconciliation in day-to-day actions is a great place to start. The links below share a few suggestions to help inspire ideas for actions of change.
Read: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
Visit: Reconciliation Canada – How to get involved.
Visit: CBC – Personal Acts of Reconciliation