There were 140 federally run Indian Residential Schools which operated in Canada between 1831 and 1998. The last school closed only 23 years ago. Survivors advocated for recognition and reparations and demanded accountability for the lasting legacy of harms caused.
September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Here are some events happening around the lower mainland if you want to learn more about the experiences of people who attended Indian Residential Schools.
UBC Intergenerational March to Celebrate Orange Shirt Day
https://apsc.ubc.ca/event/2021/save-date-national-day-truth-and-reconciliation
- 11:45 p.m. Bannock and tea available by the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre in the outdoor area
- 12:00 p.m. The event begins with some opening remarks and a territorial welcome from a representative from Musqueam
- 12:20 p.m. The march begins from the Dialogue Center down Main Mall with informational signage along the way. There will also be a station with Indigenous language activities for children along the way.
- 12:50 p.m. Arrive at the Reconciliation Pole at the end of Main Mall. We will hear from an Indian Residential School Survivor, and then have closing words from Land and Food Systems Dean and Professor Rickey Yada and Professor Civil Engineering and Associate Dean, EDI Sheryl Staub-French, Applied Science.
- 1:10 p.m. March continues back down Main Mall to the Engineering cairn outside the Kaiser building
- 1:20 p.m. arrive at the Kaiser Building. Elders, children and others can add messages of support, solidarity and handprints to the cairn. March concludes and art work begins
- 2:00 p.m. art work with participants concludes and the event is complete.
UBC All Day Sacred Fire Ceremony
http://lfs-iherg.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/09/All-Day-Fire-event.pdf
Drum for the Children 2:15pm – Join Virtually
Generations Lost: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools – September 30 to October 29th
https://educ.ubc.ca/exhibits-generations-lost-healing-the-legacy-of-residential-schools/
XWEÝENE:MSTA:M ?ƏKWƏSQWEL, SEÝEḾ
Call To Witness / Listen to Respected One
Vancouver Art Gallery – North Plaza – Noon – September 30th
https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events/orange-shirt-day-2021
“Namwayut: We Are All One” CBC Video on Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, narrated by Chief Robert Joseph, a residential school survivor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zuRQmwaREY
How can Canadians work toward reconciliation, an interview with Justice Murray Sinclair, former Chairperson of the TRC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=j2Lv21Ktz84
Paddles Up: An Honour Guard for the Children: https://vanmaritime.com/paddles-up-an-honour-guard-for-the-children/
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Pipe Ceremony – Sept 30 -4pm to 6pm
New Westminster Pier Park
https://globalnews.ca/event/8205888/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-pipe-ceremony/