National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: A Message From Our Executive Director

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A message from our Executive Director, Ayn Wilcox:

Hello everyone. Today kicks off Truth and Reconciliation Week, with Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day, a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada in 2013. The “Orange Shirt” in Orange Shirt Day refers to the story that Phyllis (Jack) Webstad from Secwepemc Nation shared of her first day at residential school as a six-year-old child when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her.  Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for Survivors to share their stories and for others to listen, learn, and commit / recommit to reconciliation and anti-Indigenous racism. The day is also a time for reflection, education, and for communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations. By wearing an orange shirt, participants show their support for Survivors and their commitment to the principle that Every Child Matters. https://orangeshirtday.org/orange-shirt-day/

This day also marks the third year since The Government of Canada proclaimed September 30th the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, intended to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. While we have a responsibility to honour the children and Survivors every day throughout the year, September 30th is a particularly important day for non-Indigenous people to reflect on what reconciliation means to them and what they can do to advance it. To learn more about the TRC Calls to Action:  https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf. You can also read stories of Two-Spirit Indigenous LGBTQ+ Indian Residential and Day School Survivors here: Stories of Two-Spirit Indigenous LGBTQ+ Indian Residential and Day School Survivors — Fierté Canada Pride (fiertecanadapride.org).

We encourage everyone to wear your orange shirts throughout the week. We will have orange ribbons available in various space that you can take and tie somewhere that is meaningful to you. This can be on your office door, around the building, or even at your own home and throughout your neighborhood. We will be replacing the worn and faded ribbons located around Klinic as well. Planning is underway for an opportunity to share food together with all our relations. Stay tuned for more information.

If you’re interested in donating to an Indigenous organization, Shared Redsky, of Redsky Fundraising maintains a comprehensive list of local and national Indigenous organizations you can check out Indigenous Charity List (redskyfundraising.com).

There are several events and learning activities throughout the week. We encourage you to participate in whatever ways you are able to. Here are a few being held in Winnipeg:

 

Orange Shirts are available from the following organizations:

 

Thank you. Take good care,

Ayn