Amplifying Indigenous Voices on the Nationwide Day of Fact and Reconciliation

Canadians mark Orange Shirt Day, or the Nationwide Day for Fact and Reconciliation, on September 30 to acknowledge the legacy of residential faculties and honour Survivors and their households. At the moment, we’re partnering with the Orange Shirt Society and the Nationwide Centre for Fact and Reconciliation (NCTR) to amplify significant discussions concerning the impression of the residential faculty system. 

Amplifying Fact and Reconciliation Week Programming

The NCTR was created as a part of the mandate of the Fact and Reconciliation Fee of Canada to share the truths of Survivors’ experiences and work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to help the continued work of reconciliation and therapeutic throughout Canada. Between September 26 and 30, the NCTR presents Fact and Reconciliation Week 2022, a free training program open to varsities throughout Canada. 

As a part of this programming, academics and college students will be a part of the NCTR for the first-ever reside stage program “Gidinawendimin – We Are All Related.” The occasion will function Survivors, performers and Information Keepers from throughout Canada, and can give attention to remembering the kids who by no means got here house from residential faculty. 

This yr, we’re partnering with the NCTR to share this programming on Fb, making it accessible from coast to coast as a useful resource for Canadians to be taught, replicate and think about their function on the trail towards fact and reconciliation. You possibly can watch “Gidinawendimin – We Are All Related” on the Nationwide Centre for Fact and Reconciliation Fb Web page starting at 7PM EST on September 29. 

Launching New Instruments to Increase Consciousness on Orange Shirt Day

In partnership with the Orange Shirt Society, we’re additionally launching a brand new augmented actuality (AR) impact impressed by the expertise of residential faculty survivor Phyllis (Jack) Webstad. The story of Phyllis’ orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother and brought from her on her first day on the St. Joseph’s Mission residential faculty in British Columbia, impressed a nationwide motion and cemented the orange shirt as a logo of the loss skilled by college students, their households and communities over generations. 

This yr’s “Orange Shirt Day” picture was created by Grade 11 pupil Geraldine Catalbas from Ponoka, Alberta. Her submission was chosen by the Orange Shirt Society because the winner of an annual contest amongst Indigenous and non-Indigenous youngsters throughout Canada. In Geraldine’s design, the sneakers signify the kids who died in residential faculties, whereas the shoelaces, reworking into an eagle, symbolise their freedom. Developed in AR by Indigenous multi-disciplinary artist Josh Conrad, the impact lets folks on Instagram honour the resilience of Survivors. To make use of the impact, go to the Orange Shirt Society Instagram account.

We’re privileged to play a task connecting Canadians on Orange Shirt Day because the nation honours the kids and Survivors of residential faculties. Public commemoration of the historical past and ongoing impacts of residential faculties is a crucial part of the reconciliation course of in Canada. We’re dedicated to making sure our applied sciences are a spot for First Nation, Inuit and Métis folks to connect with their communities, share their tales, allow cultural preservation and share historical past.