It’s July 1st, otherwise known as Canada Day. This year, for the first time, Canadians are being asked not to celebrate it. Given the past few weeks, in which we’ve seen confirmation of hundreds and hundreds of dead Indigenous children buried in unmarked graves at residential school sites, the request not to celebrate is absolutely appropriate. As…
Tag: residential schools
215 is actually a small numerator.
Dear vigil speakers, Thank you for speaking your truths to those of us gathered last night to honour the 215 children, victims of the residential school system, whose remains were found in Kamloops last week. There was so much bravery in the speaking of these truths. Whether you were an experienced speaker or not, whether…
Orange Shirt Day for Truth and Reconciliation – September 30th and every day
Tomorrow, September 30th, is Orange Shirt Day. In schools, we will commemorate this day on Monday by donning orange and discussing with our students what it means. “Orange Shirt Day” recalls the beautiful, brand-new, bright-orange shirt that was taken away from Phyllis Webstad at age six, on her first day at Mission Residential School in…
Truth and Reconciliation, One Human at a Time
Today is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, formerly known as National Aboriginal Day, established to celebrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit culture in Canada. I know that for many Indigenous people, this day seems like lip-service, since we have not yet established a day to focus on Truth and Reconciliation. I decided to use this day…