Truth and Reconciliation Day will be observed on Sept. 30 in Manitoba for the first time since the provincial government declared it as a national holiday.
This is a day of reflection when we set aside time to remember and honour the Indigenous survivors, their families and the communities of the children who didn’t return home because of the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools that operated in Canada from 1831 to 1996.
We also wear orange to acknowledge this harmful legacy and show our commitment to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
The Orange Shirt Day Legacy
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada in May 2013. It was then that former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year-old girl.
Learn more about Phyllis’ experience at a residential school and why it is important that these stories continue to be told here: Phyllis Webstad – On Orange Shirt Day
Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website to learn more about work being done to support truth, reconciliation and healing across Canada.
It has been almost ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) released their 94 Calls to Action and there is still a lot of progress to be made.
How familiar are you with these calls and do you have a ‘ReconciliAction’ plan for yourself or your organization? Reconciliation Thunder is sharing each Call to Action daily on their social media and we invite you to follow them and learn more about what you can do to take the first steps toward Reconciliation.
As the TRC final report states: “Reconciliation cannot be left up to governments, the courts, and churches alone. There must be dialogue and action in communities across the country. Reconciliation must happen across all sectors of Canadian Society” (pg. 306, Honoring the Truth Reconciling for the Future).
The best day to take action was yesterday and the second best day is today!
You can learn more about #94in94 at Reconciliation Thunder’s website.
To learn more about the Calls to Action, Click Here
To learn how to make a ReconciliAction plan, Click Here
To learn more on where each Call to Action is at, Click Here
To read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s full report, Click here
To sign up for the #94in94 campaign mailing list, Click Here