In light of the upcoming “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation,” we at Regeneration Canada want to take a moment to reflect.
We will be observing the holiday this year by relieving our team of their regular duties so they may take the time to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools and honour the healing journey of it’s survivors and their families. We believe that regenerating soils and land cannot be done without recognizing the people and their communities who stewarded those lands since time immemorial.
In June, the Canadian government unanimously passed legislation coining September 30th as a federal statutory holiday thus fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call-to-Action #80:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
Simultaneously, Regeneration Canada wishes to recognize the fact that the federal holiday announcement was welcomed with mixed feelings amongst Indigenous communities both because the choice of date risks undermining the established and successful education & awareness campaign of Orange Shirt day, and because of the lack of consistent support amongst Provinces of Canada.
We believe that reconciliation goes far beyond a national holiday. These actions are just the beginning. We invite you to embark on, or continue, this journey alongside us.
You can find resources below to further your education, buy an orange shirt from an Indigenous-led organization, or attend a community event near you or virtually. We invite you to research events and information specific to your area and share them with us.
How will you be commemorating the day?
SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2021 EVENTS:
VIRTUAL EVENTS
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s “Every Child Matters” webinar
Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund’s (DWF) discussion
Prairie Federal Council and the Canada School of Public Service event
LIVE EVENTS
Tio’tia:ke the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) Nation | MONTREAL:
Every Child Matters / Chaque Enfant Compte [Place du Canada]
McGill Events [McGill Campus, live and virtual]
The traditional and unceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory | OTTAWA:
Remember Me: A National Day Of Remembrance, Preserving: Orange Shirt Day [Parliament Hill]
The traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and the homeland of the Métis Nation | SASKATOON:
Every Child Matter Concert [Saktel Center]
Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi – Homeland of the Métis the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy, and homeland of the Métis Nation (Region 3) | CANMORE:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony [Civic Centre Plaza]
The traditional and unceded Territory of the Lkwungen (Esquimalt, and Songhees), Malahat, Pacheedaht, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke and W̱SÁNEĆ (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) peoples | VICTORIA:
Orange Shirt Day events [Centennial Square]
The traditional and unceded Coast Salish Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations | VANCOUVER:
Intergenerational March for Orange Shirt Day [UBCV]
Sound House: Never Forgotten [Museum Of Anthropology @UBC]
UNIVERSITY MATERIAL:
Indigenous Canada – University of Alberta
Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies – Trent University
Indigenous Learning – University of Calgary
OTHER EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
National Center for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) website
Orange Shirt Day Society website
RESOURCES & IDEAS: information to assist with understanding & planning Orange Shirt Day
DWF Secret Path week and A Day to Listen programming
DWF resource list including podcasts, novels, and children’s books
Bent Arrow Template letter to call on your Members of Parliament
BUYING YOUR ORANGE SHIRT:
DONATE:
