Unpacking: ‘a national day of truth and reconciliation’.
September 30th has now been coined by the federal government as, ‘National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’.
Update (July 29th, 2021): September 30th is now officially a paid holiday for federal employees.
We must ensure that this day remains to be a day of remembrance for Indigenous people and a day of education for Canadians and their children.
September 30th is known as Orange Shirt Day.
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake, BC, Canada, in May 2013. Orange Shirt Day is the vision of Alkali Lake Chief Fred Robbins, a survivor of residential school.
The Orange Shirt represents the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad who, on her first day at residential school, had her bright new orange shirt taken away from her. It was given to her by her grandmother, she was six years old.
September 30th has quickly become part of the curriculum in our public and separate school boards, churches and organizations. In 2020 it is estimated that over 15,000 teachers and over 600,000 students acknowledged September 30 as Orange Shirt Day.
‘A national day of truth and reconciliation’ is a term adopted from the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission was initiated as a result of a survivor court settlement and paid for with $60-million from church and state.
Every penny donated to Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance will be used to memorialize the children that never came home from school, support survivors and families on September 30th.
IN 2021 WE RAISED $2860.00 FOR PHYLLIS'S ORANGE SHIRT SOCIETY!
September 30th National Remembrance Day
Statutory holidays and days of reflection and education.
Canadians place high value in preserving November 11th to honour those who lost their lives for the freedoms of their children.
September 30th should be no different. Canadians should honour and memorialize each child who never came home from school.
As a new statutory holiday, September 30th should embrace similar respect and be clearly reflected in school curriculum and workplace activities surrounding the day. Our goal is to cultivate understanding and equality, meaningful reflection and most importantly, education that reflects the true history of our ancestors.
How can you help?
Create awareness. Support Indigenous led business and organizations.
Most of all, allies can put into practice the 94 Calls to Action defined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In your schools, your place of work, your church and your community, practice the calls to action!
We propose a national vision for September 30th including but not limited to:
- National opening address and prayer on Parliament Hill,
- Teaching true history of Indian residential schools and all child apprehension programs,
- Teaching history and meaning of Orange Shirt Day and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,
- Moment of silence (or cultural equivalent) across Canada at 11am,
- The wearing of Orange Shirts,
- Lowering flags to half mast across the nation,
- Creating spaces for public and private ceremony,
- Freedom to unobstructed walks and vigils,
- Creating educational spaces and events in lieu of or in addition to regular school day,
- Making spaces for public events of cultural significance across Canada.
