Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
"Wearing an orange shirt on Thursday, 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
Thursday, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day for education and reflection on Canada’s involvement in the former residential school system as well as the intergenerational impacts it has had on Indigenous communities. It is a day of recognition, remembrance and respect for survivors of residential schools.
For more information, contact indigenous@ontariotechu.ca.
Events
Indigenous Education and Cultural Services, the President’s Reconciliation Task Force and Durham College are pleased to offer a number of opportunities for members of the Ontario Tech community to engage in learning and reflection on Canada's involvement in the former residential school system. Events are still being added and we encourage you to check the website regularly.
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Make a reconciliation pledge
Between Monday, September 27 and Thursday, September 30, you are encouraged to reflect on and share pledges of commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
Online:
You can join the conversation by sharing your pledge, testimonial or commitment to reconciliation on social media. You can also show your support by creating a video or sharing a photo wearing an orange shirt.
- Use the hashtag #DCOTReconciliation
- Tag Ontario Tech:
- Instagram - @ontariotechu
- Facebook - Ontario Tech University
- Twitter - @ontariotech_u
In-person:
Students and employees can pledge their commitment to reconciliation in writing. Reconciliation pledge booths will be available to provide the campus community with an opportunity to share their pledges on orange paper t-shirt cut outs, which will then be displayed in various campus locations.
Representatives from Indigenous Education and Cultural Services, the Reconciliation Task Force and Ontario Tech Ambassadors will be available at the pledge booths to answer questions and speak to the significance of Orange Shirt Day and the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
When: Monday, September 27 to Wednesday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:
- 61 Charles Street building
- Science Building West Atrium
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Indian Horse film screening
Indian Horse, directed by Stephen Campanelli
The movie follows the life of Canadian First Nations boy, Saul Indian Horse. A talented hockey player and residential school survivor, Saul must find his own path as he battles stereotypes and alcoholism amidst the racism of the 1970s.
On September 30, there will be one in-person screening, as well as an option to watch on your own. The in-person showing will include a brief 10-minute introduction to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including the Principles of Reconciliation and progress reports on the 94 Calls to Action; and will conclude with a 30-minute sharing circle for those individuals wishing to engage in a brief discussion after the film.
Thursday, September 30,
Global Classroom, Centre for Collaborative Education, Room 145
from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
REGISTER on eventbriteIf after watching the film, you would like to debrief, please connect with Jill Thompson, Indigenous Cultural Advisor by emailing indigenous@ontariotechu.ca .
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Community of Practice: Indigenizing and Decolonizing for Reconciliation
September 30, from 3 to 3:30 p.m.
Join us for a talk on Ontario Tech’s new Community of Practice: Indigenizing and Decolonizing for Reconciliation, hosted by Dr. Kaitlyn Watson, a Faculty Development Officer in the Teaching and Learning Centre. Kaitlyn’s curricular, pedagogical, and research interests focus on equity, decolonization and reconciliation.
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Reflection space
September 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit the Library's Fireside Reading Room at the north Oshawa campus location and find a space for reflection where you can complete your own pledge to advance Truth and Reconciliation. (Bring your own pen/pencil!)
While you are here, take some time to learn about the Ontario Tech Library's Dream Catcher installation from Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Rick Bourque.
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Information session: Legacy of Hope
September 30, Online
Legacy of Hope is a charity that focuses on educating Canadians on the inter-generational impacts of the Residential School System, the Sixties Scoop, Day School and other means of cultural oppression against Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities. They are offering a live teaching session about Orange Shirt Day on September 30.
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Learning opportunities and resources
Community members wishing to learn more about truth and reconciliation are encouraged to access the resources available through the campus library including ebooks, Indigenous languages learning, treaties recognition information and more.
There are a number of external resources available for additional learning.
About reconciliation:
- Legacy of Hope: offering a live teaching session about Orange Shirt Day
- The Anishinabek Nation
- Circles For Reconciliation
- First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
- Reconciliation Canada
- Empowering the Spirit
About Residential Schools:
About taking action:
These resources discuss ideas about how you can commit to reconciliation.
Additional self-directed learning
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Learning more
Interested in learning more? Check out the suggested learning plan and follow along using the below resources on the suggested days leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or any time.
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Monday, September 27
Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website and choose a report, such as the highlighted reports below https://nctr.ca/records/reports/
The 2019-202 NCTR Annual Report (PDF) https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NCTR-2019-2020_Annual_Report.pdf
Lessons Learned Survivors Perspectives (PDF) https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Lessons_learned_report_final_2020.pdf -
Tuesday, September 28
Browse the Caring Society website. https://fncaringsociety.com/what-you-can-do
Learn about what you can do to make a difference.
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Wednesday, September 29
Read a book.
Read 21 Things You May Not Know about the Indian Act by Bob Joseph.
Listen to a podcast:Listen to Bob Joseph and Maurice Switzer on The Sunday Magazine, The road to reconciliation.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/the-sunday-magazine-for-june-6-2021-1.6053247
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Thursday, September 30
Attend the campus programming scheduled on September 30.
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Friday, October 1
Read the Final Report on the National Inquiry – MMIWG. https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
Read the Calls for Justice https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls-Web-Version-EN.docx
Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html