In response to the 94 Calls to Action by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Government of Canada declared September 30 of each year as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a day that seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit, and Metis residential school Survivors and their families and communities.
Given our shared purpose and values, our heritage, and that Indigenous Peoples is one of the groups we seek to better understand and serve as part of our EDI framework, Kindred was one of the first credit unions to designate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid holiday for our team members. The intent is that we will all use some of this personal time to learn and reflect on the tragic legacy of the residential school system and our individual and collective roles in reconciliation.
Below you will find a number of opportunities to listen, learn, discern, and act over the coming days and throughout the year.
Learn
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action
In June 2015, after hearing the stories of thousands of residential school survivors, the TRC released its final report with 94 Calls to Action, including establishing a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. You can read all 94 Calls to Action, and a summary of the state of progress of each action to date, in this CBC News interactive called Beyond 94.
Orange Shirt Day
For many years, one of the tools for building awareness of the harms done through the residential school system has been to wear an orange shirt. Held annually since 2013, September 30 marks Orange Shirt Day, a day to learn about, remember, and honour Indigenous children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools across Canada. Read the history of how Orange Shirt Day came to be.
Act
Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 21st Annual Pow Wow
September 28, 2024
Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 21st Annual Pow Wow | Waterloo Events | University of Waterloo (uwaterloo.ca)
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Virtual Lunch & Learns
September 23 to 27
https://trw-svr.nctr.ca/lunch-and-learns/
Honouring the Children: Sunrise Ceremony
September 30, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
Pittock Park, 221 Pittock Park Rd., Woodstock
ISAN (Indigenous Solidarity Awareness Network) Oxford’s 4th Annual March for Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2024 from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m.
Beginning in Yvonne Mott Memorial Park and ending at the Cheese Museum Pavillion
Healing of the Seven Generations Every Child Matters Walk
September 30, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
300 Frederick St., Kitchener
The Healing of the Seven Generations – Serving the Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas, Ontario
Anishnabeg Outreach’s Truth and Reconciliation Event
Help plant and mulch their garden, enjoy a BBQ and listen to a keynote speech from AO CEO Stephen Jackson
September 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,
1160 Spitzig Rd., Woolwich
The Stories They Never Heard: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Walk
September 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Schmidt Woods at Wilmot Rec Complex, 1291 Nafziger Rd., Baden
Updates will be added as we become aware of them.
Watch
Remembering the Children – watch or listen to the broadcast from Parliament Hill September 30 beginning at 3:00 p.m. on APTN and other supporting broadcasters.
Residential School in Canada: A Timeline
Canadian History and the Indian Residential School System
Listen
MCC Undercurrents Podcast – Ep 7 – Merle’s Story
MCC Undercurrents Podcast – Ep 27 – Spiritual Covenant with Adrian Jacobs
Read
North Wind Man by Clarence Cachagee and Seth Ratzlaff
Clarence Cachagee courageously shares his lifelong healing journey and path to becoming a helper.
Note: This resource may contain messaging or themes that some readers may find offensive or disturbing.
Dear Canada: These are my words - The residential school diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack (Written for ages 9 to 12)
Violet Pesheens was struggling to adjust to her new life at residential school. She was afraid of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishnaabe language, the names of those she knew before and her traditional customs – a fear of forgetting who she was.
Note: This resource may contain messaging or themes that some readers may find offensive or disturbing.