In Canada, September 30 marks the national and provincial day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. On this day, Canadians wear orange to recognize the ongoing intergenerational effects of residential schools and to acknowledge that “Every Child Matters”.
At Vanderwell, we hope Truth and Reconciliation is a day when we all reflect on the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and the ongoing need for reconciliation and building and strengthening relationships between indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Throughout Alberta, several activities are planned over the next several days to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day.
In the Slave Lake area, the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 5 (District 21) has organized an event on Saturday, September 28, “in memory of our lost children and to raise awareness of our ongoing work towards Truth and Reconciliation.”
The event starts at 6 pm at the Town of Slave Lake Office (10 Main Street, SW) and from there people will walk to Rennie Hall Plaza (corner of Main Street and 3rd Avenue NW) where a Candlelit Vigil and short Indigenous Youth Presentation will be held. After the formal part of the ceremony, everyone is invited to the Region 5 office on 353 Main Street North to enjoy soup and bannock. At that time, and while quantities last, Orange Shirts will be gifted to participants.
Following are some ideas of how we can each show our support not just on September 30, but throughout the year:
- Wear an orange shirt on September 30 in recognition of Orange Shirt Day.
- Commit to creating safer places for ongoing dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
- Sit with uncomfortable truths. Be mindful. Show consideration to those who are willing to share their stories, give space to those who need it, and make an effort to take the next step in our own journey of lifelong learning on truth and reconciliation.
- Challenge ourselves to learn more by taking the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada free online course Indigenous Canada and listen to the podcast All My Relations which explores what it means to be an Indigenous person today and to be engaged in relationships – relationships to the land, place, nation, and to non-human relatives, and to one another.
- Read the 94 Calls to Action from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report.
- Donate to support residential school survivors and invest in Indigenous economies
- Support local Indigenous businesses.
(Source: Explore Edmonton)
