September 30 marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.

Wear orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.

Resources

• Indigenous Peoples course through the University of Alberta
  https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada

• Free ebooks from Indigenous Corporate Training
  https://www.ictinc.ca/free-ebooks

• Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
  The Certified Aboriginal Business Program (CAB) is about businesses that are at least 51% indigenous owned/controlled.
  Resource for Indigenous-owned businesses and speakers:
  https://www.ccab.com/membership/certified-aboriginal-business-cab

• Begin your learning journey
  The Government of Canada's webpage to start your learning journey by exploring more about the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples with resources to read, listen, watch and try, plus teaching and education resources and online discussions.
  https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1621447127773/1621447157184

• Additional websites:
  • Canadian Roots Exchange
    https://canadianroots.ca/
  
  
  • National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
    https://nctr.ca/
  
  
  • Orange Shirt Day/
    https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
  
  
  • Downie Wenjack Foundation
    http://downiewenjack.ca/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/

 

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