Feature image credit: NorthernFalcon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
From September 23-30, Canada will observe National Truth and Reconciliation Week. It culminates on September 30 with National Truth and Reconciliation Day (NDTR). This is a time of reflection on the impact of residential schools, the forced adoption of Indigenous children and the thousands of children who never made it home.
NDTR was initially known as Orange Shirt Day, and it was established in 2013 as a memorial to the children forced to attend residential schools. Phyllis Jack Westad has raised Canadians’ awareness of the forced assimilation of Indigenous children by retelling the story of the teacher who took away her shiny, new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother for Phyllis’ first day of school at St. Joseph Mission Residential School near Williams Lake, B.C.
Education about this history has grown across Canada. Increasing numbers of books, movies, songs and lessons are available to inform non-indigenous people about the treatment of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children in our country.
Here are some ways to learn more and honour the memories of Canada’s Indigenous children.
1. Remembering the Children Gathering
On Saturday, September 30, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), APTN-TV, and the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation will organize a nationally televised gathering on Parliament Hill. This cultural and commemorative event will take place at noon PDT (3:00 pm ET) and be broadcast by most Canadian media. Service providers may bring clients together to watch the program. If you do, consider inviting a local Elder to open with a prayer.
2. A Week of Lunch & Learns
NCTR is hosting a week of daily Lunch & Learn webinars, providing an immersive experience to UN-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada. Each session will feature a 40-50 minute presentation from subject matter experts, followed by a Q&A with participants. All sessions will have simultaneous English-French translation with ASL interpretation. The topics are:
Day 1 – Sept. 23: Health-related impacts of the residential school system
Day 2 – Sept. 24: Allyship and confronting unconscious bias and debunking stereotypes
Day 3 – Sept. 25: Impacts and addressing Indigenous identity fraud
Day 4 – Sept. 26: A community perspective of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Day 5 – Sept. 27: How do we address barriers to reconciliation
3. Host an Orange Shirt Day Event
The Orange Shirt Society website has ways to support survivors, the story of Orange Shirt Day, and many other resources, including information on ordering orange shirts and hoodies. People can gather to hear from a survivor(s) of residential schools, watch a video of Phyllis Webstad telling her story or do other activities. Visit the Society’s website for resources and ideas.
4. Wear Orange
Even if you aren’t attending any events, wear orange on the 30th to show your support for reconciliation. Many shops in BC sell orange shirts with art and the slogan “Every Child Matters.” If you buy one, be sure an Indigenous person makes your chosen shirt. Often, net proceeds are donated to a residential school survivors’ support fund.
5. Read an Indigenous Author
With recent grants to encourage Indigenous authors and publishers, there is a growing list of Canadian literature available and most bookstores are adding shelves to present them. In addition to your reading, create a booklist for your clients that includes local issues and authors as well as publications of national interest.
There is likely a book for every taste, from essays and first-person narratives to poetry and novels. Your local bookstore or librarian can help you create a great reading list. Here’s a list of 10 Indigenous Canadian authors to get you started.
This list was compiled in 2021 to help readers understand the residential school system. It’s still relevant today and has something for every age group.
If you’re ambitious, here’s a list of what goodreads.com calls the Best Canadian Indigenous Literature. We’ll let you decide which ones appeal the most.
6. Attend a local Truth and Reconciliation Event
If you aren’t hosting an event at your agency or with your local CRN, find out what’s happening in your community. Many First Nations and off-reserve organizations hold public events that will be posted on local websites or in print media.
If your CRN is hosting an event in your community, please send it to info@bccrns.ca and we’ll add it to the list.
Hold Space to Learn and Honour
Let us know how you will be honouring the Survivors of residential schools, the children who never made it back, their families and communities on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We’d love to post your stories and photos in CRN news.
Health Supports for Survivors
If you are a Survivor and need emotional support, a national crisis line is available to you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419
H3: Additional Health Support Information
Emotional, cultural and professional support services are also available to Survivors and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. Services can be accessed on an individual, family or group basis. In British Columbia, call 1-877-477-0775
Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
