Canada observes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/09/2021 (1494 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sept. 30 marks the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Brenda Gunn, academic and research director at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, said having a national holiday to recognize the history and legacy of residential schools was included in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action.

“The significance is really that now we have a day to reflect on the harm inflicted by colonialism and residential schools,” Gunn told The Sou’wester. “Hopefully, with this day set aside, we can honour the children who survived residential schools, as well as those who did not return.”

Sept. 30 has previously been known as Orange Shirt Day for several years. The movement was started by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who told her story of her first day at residential school when her new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year-old girl.

Gunn said the first annual holiday is especially significant with unmarked graves being found at residential school sites across the country.

“We’ve really seen a re-awakening of Canadians to the issues of truth and reconciliation and the legacy of residential schools,” Gunn said. “There’s been a change in how settler Canadians are starting to listen to and understand the history.”

Gunn hopes this year will be meaningful and more important because of that shift in Canadian consciousness.

“A lot of people are looking for what to do and how to learn more, so this day is really set aside for people to have that opportunity and think about the role they can play in reconciliation moving forward,” Gunn said.

Gunn added that she wants people to take advantage of the opportunity to hear from survivors, learn from their experiences and do the work of reconciliation.

“A starting point for many Canadians will probably be to understand more of the history,” Gunn said. “I hope what we see going forward is one day each year where people are reminded to take the time to continue the learning process and remember.”

The legacy of residential schools remain challenges for Canada, Gunn said.

“We have to really stay alert to these challenges and take meaningful steps to address reconciliation,” she added.

A lot of Winnipeggers have been interested in the programming the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be running throughout the week, Gunn noted. This includes programming for educators, public presentations available online and national broadcasts happening on Sept. 30.

Other organizations have also been reaching out for more information and the Centre’s public education and outreach team has been fielding many requests.

To honour the holiday, Gunn and her family will be sporting orange shirts. She plans to spend time with her spouse and daughter — who are both intergenerational survivors — and take some time to reflect on her goals in Canadian society to support reconciliation.

“The challenge going forward will be to ensure this is a day set aside to do the work of reconciliation, remember the children that didn’t come home and honour the survivors who did,” Gunn said.

For more information about the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, visit www.nctr.ca