Recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Each year as we seek to listen, learn, and grow relationships with Indigenous neighbours, we appreciate the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. We recognize this date as a day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” Since September 30 falls on a weekend this year, Kindred’s observance of this day includes closing all of our locations on Monday, October 2. We will use this time to encourage members and staff to reconnect, reflect, and move toward action.
How we can Learn, Listen, and Act together
Leading up to September 30, each year we collect and share additional resources in support of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Below are some ways you can learn, listen, and act. Looking for more? Read our 2022 blog and check out additional resources.
Learn
Read (and Read Again) Calls to Action
Have you read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada? Even if you have read them before, we encourage you to read, reconnect and reflect on the Calls each year. How can you move from reflection to action? Consider choosing one or two Calls to Action that you could integrate into your life or work. What’s your plan? How will you hold yourself accountable?
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.
Listen
Undercurrents Podcast
Our partner, Mennonite Central Committee of Ontario (MCCO), has been using podcasts as a way of sharing the stories they’re privileged to hear through their work. You can listen to this Undercurrents episode that connect with MCCO’s Indigenous Neighbours Program. Lay of the land - Season 3, Episode 17
This is the story of MCC’s Sowing Reconciliation project to help grow gardeners in First Nations communities to help address rising food prices and promote food sovereignty.
Consider the following questions to guide your reflection on this episode:
Do you know where your food comes from. Do you know how to grow your own food?
What local community gardens exist in your own neighborhood or community?
What impact have rising food prices had on your life, and what can you take forward from this episode?
Act
Seek for yourself
You can take action on September 30th, and it should not stop there. We encourage you to seek events, activities, and ways to support your local Indigenous organizations for yourself. From art and music to small businesses, there are many ways to engage. Below are some local events to check out in 2023. This is not a comprehensive list rather a place to start: University of Waterloo’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 29. 3rd Annual Cambridge Orange Shirt Day event on September 30 at 6:00pm. Every Child Matters Walk with Healing of the Seven Generations in Kitchener on September 30 at 10:00am
At Kindred, we believe you have a better choice for banking. We believe values and faith are central to life, and financial decisions are not values-neutral. In fact, we think financial decisions can impact the world in amazing ways—so our values are integrated into everything we do. We call this Banking with Purpose.
