National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and, as of 2021, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
It's a day for:
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Education and reflection on Canada's involvement in the former residential school system.
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Recognition, remembrance and respect for the survivors of residential schools.
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Understanding the generational impacts residential schools have had—and continue to have—on Indigenous communities.
Reconciliation is an ongoing effort and responsibility for everyone—it requires a commitment to learning about and hearing Indigenous peoples' truths. You can always make a pledge to truth and reconciliation and familiarize yourself with all the self-directed resources that are available to you, all year round.
Orange Shirt Day T-Shirts
"Wearing an orange shirt on September 30 is one way to show respect for Indigenous communities while helping to encourage difficult but necessary conversations about Canada’s dark history pertaining to Indian residential day and industrial schools."
-Alyssa McLeod, Indigenous Community Engagement Co-ordinator, Ontario Tech University
There are a number of organizations that you can purchase an orange shirt through to show your support.
Proceeds from shirt sales will help fund community programs. Vendors were selected by Indigenous Education and Cultural Services (check vendor websites for prices, available sizes and order deadlines):
Make a pledge to Truth and Reconciliation
Join us for our Sunrise Ceremony
Join us for our Sunrise Ceremony
Monday, September 30 from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m.
285 Britannia Ave W, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4, Windfields Farms
You're invited to participate in a Sunrise Ceremony—in collaboration with Lakeridge Health—with Kathy MacLeod-Beaver and Tim Smoke to express gratitude and appreciation for a new day. This will be a place of healing and honouring life.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 7 a.m., which will include a ceremonial fire, sacred medicines and honouring of water and berries.
Traditional tobacco will be available for offerings. Light refreshments will be provided after the ceremony in Mukwa's Den, located in Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 217.
Self-directed learning resources
Pledges by members of the Ontario Tech community
For National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day, I pledge to:
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Acknowledge the strengths within Indigenous communities, cultures and ways of knowing, as I learn and share through writing and research.
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Actively encourage others to learn more and contribute to reconciliation efforts.
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Advocate for systemic change, and ongoing support for Indigenous students and staff.
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Better understand the role I play in truth and reconciliation, and also the role that my ancestors played in the oppression of Indigenous peoples.
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Empower Indigenous voices and prioritize representation in my classroom.
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Encourage the sharing of Indigenous history and ways of knowing to help create a path forward for truth and reconciliation.
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Examine the privileges I hold and find ways to use them to work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples.
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Learn more about my Indigenous heritage while finding intentional ways to integrate Indigenous voices and education into my classroom.
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Listen and unlearn; amplify Indigenous voices as an ally on all days throughout the year.
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Support Indigenous businesses through buying art, clothing, etc.
