Saturday September 30, 2023 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
As a grassroots movement, September 30 has been commemorated as Orange Shirt Day across Canada since 2013, in honour of the Survivors of Indian Residential Schools.
As more awareness and information about residential schools has come to light, the federal government has been designated September 30 as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2023, National Truth and Reconciliation week is September 25 to 30.
The date was declared a statutory federal holiday with the passage of Bill C-5 in June 2021, in response to one of the 94 Calls to Action of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important step in the reconciliation process, now being recognized and participated in across Canada.
The day provides an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour their survivors, their families and communities.
Wear orange:
Wearing orange on September 30 is a way of honouring the work of National Truth and Reconciliation.
Event in Sooke:
In Sooke, an event will be held by local Truth 4 Reconciliation members at the Sooke Library (6671 Wadams Way) at 11 am.
Taking action:
According to a post on the District of Sooke website, event organizers are asking to hear from non-Indigenous people about what they have learned from listening to the stories of survivors. They ask:
- What have you done or what are you planning to do differently?
- What is your contribution to truth-telling?
- Which truths have you surfaced or told and how have you gone about addressing this head-on and/or reconciling it?
- How are you holding others accountable to truth-telling so things can be reconciled?
Members express, “Please – instead of always asking survivors to re-experience trauma so you can ‘hear it firsthand’ or ‘understand’ or ‘be a nice ally’ – lift away the burden from us and tell us what you are doing.”
Resources:
- OrgangeShirtDay.org
- National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- Government of Canada, Marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Government of Canada, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
Immediate support:
- The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
Available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their Residential school experience.