Ways to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Learning and commemorating the truth about our history is an important path of reconciliation. Remembering our past, reflecting, learning and understanding – this is reconciliation. Everyone in Sechelt and beyond has the opportunity to memorialize the children lost to the residential school system and honour Survivors and their families.   

Here are some ways to act and help advance reconciliation:

• Commemorate and walk with shíshálh Nation on Saturday, September30. https://shishalh.com/event/orange-shirt-day-2/
• Visit the tems swiya museum to learn about the long and rich histories the local shíshálh Nation.
• Attend all or some of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation’s lunch and learn series (webinars). 10:30-11:20 a.m. Sept 25-29, register here.
• Wear an orange shirt, pin or other item. Wondering why an orange shirt is significant? Read Phyllis’ story here.
• Participate in a Kairos Blanket Exercise. This free workshop will help to understand how colonization of the land we know as British Columbia and Canada has impacted the people who lived here long before the settlers arrived. October 18 from 1-4 p.m. as part of the Sechelt Arts Festival. Register here.

• Explore the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)’s resource guide: CCDI’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day educational guide (PDF) features many books, movies, and TV shows that you can view outside of your workday. 
• Listen to the CCDI podcast, released on September 30th, 2022: The podcast guest is Laura Arndt from the Survivors’ Secretariat.
• Watch Indigenous made content: APTN TV is the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world, with programming by, for and about Indigenous Peoples, to share with all Canadians and others globally.
• Donate to Indigenous charities: Canada Helps provides a list of charities that support or promote the needs of Indigenous communities. 

Resources

shíshálh Nation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action - 94

Support

The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.

Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.