Home Government Assembly of First Nations Truth & Reconciliation: actions & gatherings

Truth & Reconciliation: actions & gatherings

Quotes, photos and Twitter posts from around the island.

trc, sept 30
Crowd gathered on Sept 30, 2021 for the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day, in Duncan, BC. [Twitter]
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Thursday September 30, 2021 | LANGFORD, BC [Last Update 3:20 pm]

by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends


Today September 30, 2021 is the first national Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada, now being observed each year across the country in remembrance and recognition of the historical truths about how Indigenous peoples have been treated through the process of colonization.

assembly of first nations
“Today, and every day, I stand in support of Survivors and intergenerational trauma Survivors,” said National Chief Archibald.

The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

alistair macgregor
Alistair MacGregor (MP-elect for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford) at a large gathering on National Truth & Reconciliation Day, Sept 30, 2021, in Duncan. [Twitter]

For many who wonder how they can best honour the meaning of this day, many Indigenous leaders have suggested over recent weeks that people could spend some time reflecting on the impacts upon Indigenous people.

A practical way to do that might include reading and coming to terms with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action report of 2015 including the 94 recommendations included in the report.

At the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website there are archives and information on Truth and Reconciliation Week. There is a portal for survivors to learn and do more, and a page with links to all the reports.

Here on Vancouver Island there have been many ways of honoring and gathering. Here are some of the photos and comments of those acknowledgements today.

On the day:

Tkemlups, Sept 30
Livestreamed outdoor drumming event from Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc in Kamloops, BC. [Twitter]

Assembly of First Nations: Show your support for Residential Institution Survivors and their families by wearing orange because #EveryChildMatters today and every day.

drum for the children, Kamloops
#DrumForTheChildren at 2:15 p.m. PDT on Sept 30, 2021 to honour the children that never came home.

National Centre for Truth and Reconcilation: “”The creation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is one single step on a long path ahead. It is a journey that requires all people in this country to travel together.”

Perry Bellegarde (former chief of the Assembly of First Nations): “Today, I offer my sincere condolences to the souls of all who did not return home from their Indian Residential School. And I lift up the enduring spirits of every former student of the Indian Residential School system, including my father, Charles Bellegarde.”

Premier John Horgan, MLA (Langford-Juan de Fuca): “Public commemoration of our shared history is just one of many steps we can take in our work to advance reconciliation. We must also face the truth of the harms perpetrated by colonial policies and the residential school system. As government, we will work to deconstruct the colonial systems that are still in place and continue to harm Indigenous peoples. We owe this to the future generations.” (excerpt from longer statement)

Rob Fleming
Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure (MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake).

Rob Fleming, MLA (Victoria-Swan Lake) & Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure: “Today we honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.”

Murray Rankin, MLA (Oak Bay-Gordon Head) & Minister of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation: “Today we wear orange to honour those lost, those who survived, and those still impacted by inter-generational trauma from the residential school system.”

Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen – BC Greens: “Let’s take this day to pause and open our hearts and minds to who we are, and where we have come from.”

Shirley Bond, BC Liberals Interim Leader, Official Opposition: “I hope everyone will join us in recognizing this important day by listening to Indigenous voices, reflecting on the history of residential schools, and committing to work toward meaningful reconciliation.”

josie osborne, trc
Walking from Port Alberni’s Harbour Quay to Maht Mahs to honour Survivors and their families, and all the children who never came home, Sept 30, 2021. [Josie Osborne, MLA, Mid-Island-Pacific Rim]

Canadian Heritage (Government of Canada): Today is Orange Shirt Day, in support of the survivors of residential schools. Today also marks the 1st annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. A time to learn the history of residential schools & hear stories from survivors and their families.

Scott Stinson, Superintendent, Sooke School District 62: “As we honour National Truth and Reconciliation Day the SD62 Board is pleased to showcase the art of Connie Watts. This visual acknowledgement of the traditional territories of the Sci’anew, T’Souke and Pacheedaht First Nations is proudly displayed in the entrance to our Board Office.”

SD62, mural
This visual acknowledgement of the traditional territories of the Sci’anew, T’Souke and Pacheedaht First Nations is proudly displayed in the foyer of the SD62 Board Office in Langford, BC (SD62 Trustees, from left: Wendy Hobbs, Bob Beckett, Allison Watson, Chair Ravi Parmar). [SD62]
john horgan, constituency, ad

Schools are closed:

Today September 30 most schools, post-secondary, health-care sector and crown corporation offices are closed in recognition of the new statutory holiday.

Locally here on the west shore, all SD62 schools and buildings will be closed to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve.

TRC gathering
Gathering at Centennial Square in downtown Victoria on Sept 30, 2021. [web]
every child matters

===== Photos welcome:

If you wish to submit your photos from your Truth and Reconciliation activities today on September 30, 2021, please email (as jpg attachment) to photos@islandsocialtrends.com .

BCCPAC, parent advisory
Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Its a time to listen, learn about the truth of residential schools & take steps toward reconciliation. Challenge yourself to learn more.

dumont
Get your vehicle ready for winter.
Brittny Anderson, MLA
Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston, honouring the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept 30, 2021. [Twitter]