National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30 2021
This year, for the first time, September 30th, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will be marked as a Canadian statutory holiday. This means many of you will have the chance to take the day to reflect on truth and reconciliation and on the genocidal legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School System.
Below is a list of events that are happening that you can participate in if you choose, and actions that you can take to increase your own understanding, or to further the call to action of elected officials on matters pertaining to public policy and truth and reconciliation.
Online Events (from anywhere):
How to watch and listen to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on CBC on September 30.
CBC Link here.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation hosted by Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. All content is accessible on Thursday, September 30, 2021. For more information and full event details visit the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund website.
Truth and Reconciliation Talking Circle hosted by University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
(September 30, 2021, 10:00 am). This 90-minute event is open to everyone. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website.
Bent Arrow Presents Orange Shirt Day (September 30, 2021, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm). Facebook Live @BentArrowYEG. More here.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc worldwide drumming circle (September 30, 2021, 2:15 pm). Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation is inviting people across the world to simultaneously drum for the missing children of Indian residential schools on the first ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The time, 2:15 pm, was chosen to signify the 215 children found on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May of this year. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is urging everyone to learn the Secwepemc Honour Song, which can be accessed on YouTube.
Lex̱éywa Art Activism: A recalling of a residential school experience. Info here.
In-Person Events in Vancouver:
Orange Shirt Day Elders' Walk with the Britannia Centre. (September 30, 2021, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm). Info here.
Xweýene:msta:m ?əkwəsqwel, seýeḿ (September 30, 2021, 12:00 pm) Šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square 850 W. Georgia Street. More info.
Orange Shirt Day: Beans (Filmmaker Q+A) at the Rio Theatre. (September 30, 2021, 4:00 pm) More Info.
Orange Shirt Day: Don't Say its Name (BC Premiere/ Director Q+A) at the Rio Theatre. (September 30, 2021, 7:00 pm). More Info
Actions:
1. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Reports and Calls to Action.
2. Familiarize yourself with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
3. Sign on to the Change.Org petition created by BCTF members Rick Joe and Peggy Janicki.
4. Find out what First Nations Territory you reside on and make a point of Acknowledging it.
5. Understand the symbolism of the orange shirt.
6. Read Indigenous authors and watch Indigenous movies, buy Indigenous-made gifts, listen to podcasts and follow Indigenous news sources. More Info
Below is a list of events that are happening that you can participate in if you choose, and actions that you can take to increase your own understanding, or to further the call to action of elected officials on matters pertaining to public policy and truth and reconciliation.
Online Events (from anywhere):
How to watch and listen to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on CBC on September 30.
CBC Link here.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation hosted by Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. All content is accessible on Thursday, September 30, 2021. For more information and full event details visit the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund website.
Truth and Reconciliation Talking Circle hosted by University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
(September 30, 2021, 10:00 am). This 90-minute event is open to everyone. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s website.
Bent Arrow Presents Orange Shirt Day (September 30, 2021, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm). Facebook Live @BentArrowYEG. More here.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc worldwide drumming circle (September 30, 2021, 2:15 pm). Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation is inviting people across the world to simultaneously drum for the missing children of Indian residential schools on the first ever National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The time, 2:15 pm, was chosen to signify the 215 children found on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May of this year. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is urging everyone to learn the Secwepemc Honour Song, which can be accessed on YouTube.
Lex̱éywa Art Activism: A recalling of a residential school experience. Info here.
In-Person Events in Vancouver:
Orange Shirt Day Elders' Walk with the Britannia Centre. (September 30, 2021, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm). Info here.
Xweýene:msta:m ?əkwəsqwel, seýeḿ (September 30, 2021, 12:00 pm) Šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square 850 W. Georgia Street. More info.
Orange Shirt Day: Beans (Filmmaker Q+A) at the Rio Theatre. (September 30, 2021, 4:00 pm) More Info.
Orange Shirt Day: Don't Say its Name (BC Premiere/ Director Q+A) at the Rio Theatre. (September 30, 2021, 7:00 pm). More Info
Actions:
1. Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Reports and Calls to Action.
2. Familiarize yourself with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
3. Sign on to the Change.Org petition created by BCTF members Rick Joe and Peggy Janicki.
4. Find out what First Nations Territory you reside on and make a point of Acknowledging it.
5. Understand the symbolism of the orange shirt.
6. Read Indigenous authors and watch Indigenous movies, buy Indigenous-made gifts, listen to podcasts and follow Indigenous news sources. More Info