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September 30th is Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It serves as a day to remember, reflect, learn, and act each year.
The declaration of this day as a federal statutory holiday follows one of 94 calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2015. September 30th has also been known as National Orange Shirt Day, a day dedicated to the recognition of the tragic history and intergenerational impacts of residential schools.
Council of the Township of Georgian Bluffs passed a resolution to commit to recognizing September 30th as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Each year, the Township will lower flags in honor of residential school survivors and the devastating and substantial discoveries of unmarked mass graves across Canada. The Township commits to updating this webpage with educational resources to show our commitment to the reconciliation process and to share these resources with our residents. The Township commits to being a part of the continued dialogue on truth and reconciliation.
Resources
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National Orange Shirt Day |
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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. The symbolic significance of this day reflects the experience of Phyllis Webstad, who wore a brand new orange shirt for her first day of school with pride, but was subsequently stripped of it and put in a residential school uniform. The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. Let's keep these conversations and discussions going everyday, not just on #OrangeShirtDay. To read more, visit: |
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Local Resources |
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Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada |
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In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada published 94 calls to actions regarding reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples. We are all part of the path forward. Read the calls to actions and more online at: |
| National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls |
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The National Inquiry Into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was completed independently from the federal government in 2019 to address the alarming number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. To view the final report, visit: Final Report | MMIWG (mmiwg-ffada.ca) National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca) |
| National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation |
| NCTR - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation |
| United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |
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The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. Today the Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples. Read the declaration online at: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |
| The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Teaching History & Reconciliation (downiewenjack.ca) |
| Film and Documentaries |
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Namwayut: we are all one. Truth and reconciliation in Canada We Were Children - Tim Wolochatiuk Birth of a Family - Tasha Hubbard Our People Will be Healed - Alanis Obomsawin For more short feature films on the impact of residential schools, visit the National Film Board of Canada's residential school channel. |
| Indigenous Authored Books |
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CBC Canada has published a list of 48 books by Indigenous writers on residential schools. |
| Key Moments in Indigenous History |
| View a detailed timeline of Indigenous History in Canada by Historica Canada. |
DISCLAIMER: This is not an exhaustive list of Indigenous educational resources, film, or history. To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation each year, we encourage you to do your part and expand your knowledge of the truths and lived experiences of Residential School Survivors, their families, the lasting legacy of Residential Schools, and the resulting intergenerational trauma faced by Canada's Indigenous Communities.
Consider taking this free course offered by the University of Alberta to learn about challenges facing Indigenous communities today, from both current and historical perspectives. Indigenous Canada includes topics such as fur trade and exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.