September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

General
By Emily Carr University

Posted on September 25, 2024 | Updated September 25, 2024, 10:50am

Where the Buffalo Roam by Aaron Rice

Take the time to learn, remember and deepen your understanding of the residential school experience.

In 2021, the Government of Canada declared September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the survivors, families, and communities affected by the residential schools.

This statutory holiday was the result of advocacy by Indigenous activists, the Assembly of First Nations Chiefs-in-Council, and the Orange Shirt Day Society, as well as a direct call to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report. The report urged the creation of a statutory holiday to honour survivors and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains central to the reconciliation process.

Since 2013, September 30 has also been recognized as Orange Shirt Day, a day to reflect on the impact of Canada’s residential school system. The day is inspired by the story of survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad, who shared how her orange shirt — given to her by her grandmother for the start of the new school year — was taken from her at the St. Joseph Mission residential school.

The shirt symbolizes how residential schools attempted to erase the identities and cultures of Indigenous children. On September 30, we reflect on the experiences of residential school survivors, their families and the children who did not make it home. Wearing an orange shirt is a way to show support for the “Every Child Matters” movement and a commitment to reconciliation and continuous learning as part of your journey.

Visit last year’s community update for more in-depth info about Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

To support your ongoing learning, we’ve assembled a list of resources and events in the community:

ECU Events

Sept 27 | Community Gathering

Join us on September 27 for a community gathering at 11:30 am in the ECU Caf. The event will feature a Coast Salish Welcome and remarks, accompanied by Bannock and tea

Sept 27 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event

Join us in the Wellness Kitchen at 12:30pm for bannock from Salishan Catering and to learn about Indigenous authors, creators, and artists.

Sept 28 | The Future Worldings Conference

The Future Worldings Conference considers approaches to “worldmaking" to articulate and reflect on shared relations and decolonial futures.

Events in the Community

September 26 | Orange Shirt Pin Making Workshops (All ages)

The Britannia Craft Collective and Indigenous elders invite you to join them in creating an Orange Shirt Pin at the Britannia Community Centre.

September 29 | Reconciliation Through Community

The Community Builders - Indigenous Cultural Wellness hosts a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation event at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. The event will feature Knowledge Keepers speaking about their experiences, interactive dances, drummers and singers, and community resources.

September 29 | Culture Club at MOA: Cedar Hearts for Reconciliation

Visit the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) to participate in a cedar-weaving workshop and reflect on your commitment to advancing reconciliation.

September 30 | All My Relations: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Place des Arts is honoured to host artist Christine Mackenzie to share her unique perspective on the importance of the cedar bough through a drawing and painting activity.

September 30 | Intergenerational March to Commemorate Orange Shirt Day

The UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Canada are hosting a march at the UBC campus to honour survivors and their families.

September 30 | Orange Shirt Day at Grandview Park

The Britannia Community Centre and other community partners will host an Orange Shirt Day march and event at Grandview Park, including cultural and music performances, lunch, and traditional songs.

September 30 | Truth and Reconciliation Day: NFB Film Screenings

The Museum of Vancouver and the NFB are partnering to screen films by Indigenous directors and focus on how Indigenous communities aim to heal and move forward.

Deepen Your Understanding

Reading + Watching

The library team has put together a staff-picks display related to Truth and Reconciliation at the upper level of the library. You can also find resources on Truth & Reconciliation in the Indigenous Topics Research Guide.
The National Film Board has assembled a playlist of films on residential schools and one playlist for younger viewers.
The Vancouver International Film Festival will be showcasing films by Indigenous creators from September 26 – October 6.
Check out the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website to read about their publications on residential schools, exhibition items, the Survivor’s Flag, and ongoing research.
Read the reports by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

For Indigenous Community Members

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Crisis Line—a 24-hour crisis line for survivors and families of survivors. Call toll-free: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations Health Authority mental health benefits—FNHA partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer First Nations people in BC a comprehensive mental health plan. The plan covers counselling services from qualified mental health providers, including psychologists, clinical counsellors, and social workers.
Native Women’s Association of Canada—The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is founded on the collective goal of enhancing, promoting, and fostering the social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women.
The Hope for Wellness line provides culturally competent counselling for Indigenous people across the country at any time and can be reached toll-free at 1.855.242.3310. Services are available in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut upon request.
Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-588-8717. For adults/Elders, call 250-723-4050; for youth, call 250-723-2040.
Métis Crisis Line is a service of the Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).
The Aboriginal Gathering Place at Emily Carr University is also open to Indigenous community members daily, Monday through Friday.

For Support

Trauma-informed counselling services are available to ECU students.
The BC Bereavement Helpline is the only free, grief-specific helpline via phone and email in Canada. You can reach them toll-free at 1-877-779-2223 and contact@bcbh.ca.
Employee and family assistance services are available for ECU staff and faculty. They can be accessed online at workhealthlife.com or by phone at 1.844.880.9142 (TTY 1.877.338.0275). These services are free and confidential.
A list of further resources and community supports is available online, including 24-hour crisis supports, distress supports and free/reduced-cost counselling.