September 30th is recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day to honor the victims and survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and recognizes the ongoing trauma resulting from Residential Schools.

“The Indian Residential School system operated across Canada between the 1870s and the 1990s. Indian Residential Schools were created to separate Indigenous children from their families and communities, and to systematically strip away their traditions, cultural practices and languages.

More than 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from across the country were forced to attend Indian Residential Schools, which were often located far from their homes. Many never made it home.

Each year on the federally recognized National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect and honour Survivors, their families and communities affected by the legacy of Indian Residential School policies.”

On September 30, 2023, we encourage all residents to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. Orange Shirt day relates to Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who was stripped of her new orange shirt her first day of school. The orange shirt represents the stripping of culture, freedom, and self-esteem children experienced from generation to generation.

If you would like to learn more about diverse cultures, voices, experiences and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, please follow the links below

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