Related video: Survivors share their stories on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Friday was the 2nd annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day Canadians honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It is also a day people wear orange shirts to represent Every Child Matters, started by Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor.
Events are held all over Canada to honour these movements and events, including here in Lethbridge.
Cindy Rendall, founder of Untethered Heart Counselling, held her workshop “Reconciliation Starts with You” Friday at the Interfaith Food Bank, aiming to educate those in the community interested in what reconciliation means, what to do as a non-Indigenous person, and discuss the impacts of systemic racism. The safe and open environment facilitated discussions on the topic, helping with the education about what truth and reconciliation truly is.
“It’s a workshop for non-Indigenous people to look at the truth of what brings us to what today is. Not only the past and present with Indigenous people, but also our role as white settlers in this country,” said Rendall. “It is sponsored by the City of Lethbridge and Reconciliation Lethbridge, last year they asked me to put this together and because it was successful, we are doing it again.”
Working through multiple methods of teaching, Rendall uses her skills as a registered social worker, and her Master’s in Clinical Practice, to help facilitate a learning environment for all those that attend.
“There are two sides to it. We need to know the history of Indigenous peoples, understanding the impacts of colonization,” said Rendall. “Then we also need to be able to look at our truths as white people, and the privileges that we hold. How does systemic racism really benefit us? And we kind of have to look at that ugly truth, because sometimes we like to think we are nice, but we don’t want to look at our racist tendencies, or we might even be unaware of the things we are upholding towards that.”
Not looking to wag a finger or use shame as a platform, Rendall instead uses open discussion and educational videos to help encourage learning and keep an open mind about understanding the topic.
“This is the first step on a journey that will come to learning,” said Rendall. “This will continue with self-reflection and looking inwards. Also looking at what differences people can make in terms of policies towards Indigenous people. How we speak up and be an ally.”
With a successful presentation last year, the workshop comes with the 2nd anniversary of Truth and Reconciliation, looking to continue the messages it started with.
“We have a nice mix of community members and an increasing interest in this workshop,” said Rendall. “I have been contacted by agencies that weren’t able to be here today, interested in offering this to their staff. It is encouraging to see people make a difference in our community.”
Ryan Clarke, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald
Friday was the 2nd annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day Canadians honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It is also a day people wear orange shirts to represent Every Child Matters, started by Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor.
Events are held all over Canada to honour these movements and events, including here in Lethbridge.
Cindy Rendall, founder of Untethered Heart Counselling, held her workshop “Reconciliation Starts with You” Friday at the Interfaith Food Bank, aiming to educate those in the community interested in what reconciliation means, what to do as a non-Indigenous person, and discuss the impacts of systemic racism. The safe and open environment facilitated discussions on the topic, helping with the education about what truth and reconciliation truly is.
“It’s a workshop for non-Indigenous people to look at the truth of what brings us to what today is. Not only the past and present with Indigenous people, but also our role as white settlers in this country,” said Rendall. “It is sponsored by the City of Lethbridge and Reconciliation Lethbridge, last year they asked me to put this together and because it was successful, we are doing it again.”
Working through multiple methods of teaching, Rendall uses her skills as a registered social worker, and her Master’s in Clinical Practice, to help facilitate a learning environment for all those that attend.
“There are two sides to it. We need to know the history of Indigenous peoples, understanding the impacts of colonization,” said Rendall. “Then we also need to be able to look at our truths as white people, and the privileges that we hold. How does systemic racism really benefit us? And we kind of have to look at that ugly truth, because sometimes we like to think we are nice, but we don’t want to look at our racist tendencies, or we might even be unaware of the things we are upholding towards that.”
Not looking to wag a finger or use shame as a platform, Rendall instead uses open discussion and educational videos to help encourage learning and keep an open mind about understanding the topic.
“This is the first step on a journey that will come to learning,” said Rendall. “This will continue with self-reflection and looking inwards. Also looking at what differences people can make in terms of policies towards Indigenous people. How we speak up and be an ally.”
With a successful presentation last year, the workshop comes with the 2nd anniversary of Truth and Reconciliation, looking to continue the messages it started with.
“We have a nice mix of community members and an increasing interest in this workshop,” said Rendall. “I have been contacted by agencies that weren’t able to be here today, interested in offering this to their staff. It is encouraging to see people make a difference in our community.”
Ryan Clarke, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald
Provinces, territories face calls to make Day for Truth and Reconciliation a holiday
As Canada marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, provinces and territories face a push to recognize it as a statutory holiday.
Friday
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have declared Sept. 30 a statutory holiday along with the federal government.
Murray Sinclair, the former head of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, pointed out at a national event in Ottawa that many governments quickly moved to recognize the death of the queen, and he urged the same courtesy for residential school survivors.
“This is not a radical concept, to pause and to reflect. You do so for other days and occurrences throughout your life quite routinely," he said, highlighting Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
In B.C., the First Nations Leadership Council said it was deeply concerned that the province had not designated Sept. 30 a statutory holiday.
Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations said nearly three years after the provincial government adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the failure to designate Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday “is a grave impediment” to the reconciliation process.
“One day out of the year dedicated to honouring survivors and sitting with their stories is not too much to ask. If the province of British Columbia is genuinely committed to reconciliation, they must prioritize public commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a vital part of our society’s reconciliation process,” Teegee said in a statement.
B.C.'s Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said in a statement that the province is talking with Indigenous people about what the day will look like in the future.
"We are focused on working with Indigenous leadership and communities to mark September 30th in the manner that is consistent with how they would like to see they day marked in years to come," the ministry said.
Sinclair said the day was envisioned to be “a day of intention, reflection and discussion.”
“For Canadians to take a day out of their lives to lend their ears and their hearts to survivors, listen to them and to resolve to do better in the next 364 days that follow until the next national day," he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a crowd in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Friday that truth and reconciliation aren’t just things of the past.
“It is a day to remember, to grieve and take another step along healing. But it is also a day for non-Indigenous people to recognize that you should not have to carry this burden alone,” he told the crowd.
“How many times do Indigenous Peoples have to tell their stories of trauma, of loss, of pain, of grief, until we absorb those stories and make them our own? Because they, too, are the story of Canada, and therefore, they, too, are the story of each of us.”
In Yukon, NDP Leader Kate White said the party will be tabling a private member's bill to make the day a statutory holiday in the territory.
Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade said Sept. 30 should be a statutory holiday, but Premier François Legault has said Quebecer needs more "productivity," not another day off.
— With files from Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2022.
Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press
As Canada marks the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, provinces and territories face a push to recognize it as a statutory holiday.
© Provided by The Canadian Press
Friday
New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have declared Sept. 30 a statutory holiday along with the federal government.
Murray Sinclair, the former head of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, pointed out at a national event in Ottawa that many governments quickly moved to recognize the death of the queen, and he urged the same courtesy for residential school survivors.
“This is not a radical concept, to pause and to reflect. You do so for other days and occurrences throughout your life quite routinely," he said, highlighting Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
In B.C., the First Nations Leadership Council said it was deeply concerned that the province had not designated Sept. 30 a statutory holiday.
Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations said nearly three years after the provincial government adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the failure to designate Sept. 30 as a statutory holiday “is a grave impediment” to the reconciliation process.
“One day out of the year dedicated to honouring survivors and sitting with their stories is not too much to ask. If the province of British Columbia is genuinely committed to reconciliation, they must prioritize public commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a vital part of our society’s reconciliation process,” Teegee said in a statement.
B.C.'s Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation said in a statement that the province is talking with Indigenous people about what the day will look like in the future.
Related video: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation messages and meanings honoured across Canada Duration 3:07 View on Watch
"We are focused on working with Indigenous leadership and communities to mark September 30th in the manner that is consistent with how they would like to see they day marked in years to come," the ministry said.
Sinclair said the day was envisioned to be “a day of intention, reflection and discussion.”
“For Canadians to take a day out of their lives to lend their ears and their hearts to survivors, listen to them and to resolve to do better in the next 364 days that follow until the next national day," he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a crowd in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Friday that truth and reconciliation aren’t just things of the past.
“It is a day to remember, to grieve and take another step along healing. But it is also a day for non-Indigenous people to recognize that you should not have to carry this burden alone,” he told the crowd.
“How many times do Indigenous Peoples have to tell their stories of trauma, of loss, of pain, of grief, until we absorb those stories and make them our own? Because they, too, are the story of Canada, and therefore, they, too, are the story of each of us.”
In Yukon, NDP Leader Kate White said the party will be tabling a private member's bill to make the day a statutory holiday in the territory.
Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade said Sept. 30 should be a statutory holiday, but Premier François Legault has said Quebecer needs more "productivity," not another day off.
— With files from Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2022.
Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press
Canadians reflect about residential schools on Truth and Reconciliation Day
With drumming and singing, at powwows and public ceremonies, communities across the country marked the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Friday.
Friday
The federal statutory holiday, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was established last year to remember children who died while being forced to attend residential schools, as well as those who survived, and the families and communities still affected by lasting trauma.
Grass dancer Nathan Rice, wearing a colourful beaded vest and a feather headdress, said he experienced a sense of hope when he looked out on the thousands of people wearing orange as he performed at a Songhees Nation powwow at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park.
"It's a good step in the right direction," said Rice, 29, who was thinking about his grandfather who attended residential school at Kuper Island, off southern Vancouver Island.
"It's definitely a hard thought for sure, but it definitely gives me strength," he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined representatives of various First Nations and dozens of people in orange for a sunrise ceremony in Niagara Falls, Ont. He stood silently as the ceremony took place and spoke with survivors afterwards.
Later in the morning, Trudeau addressed an event to mark the day.
"This is a day for Indigenous Peoples. Today to recognize that yes, you are still here, you are still strong, and you are an indissociable part of the present and the future we build every day as a country," he told the crowd.
"It is a day to remember, to grieve, to take another step along healing. But it is also a day for non-Indigenous peoples to recognize that you should not have to carry this burden alone."
The speeches and events occur even as the grim work that helped inspire the day continues.
In Mission, B.C., where Orange Shirt Day finds its origins, work began in September to search for graves with ground-penetrating radar at the former St. Mary’s Indian Residential School. The City of Mission said in a statement the efforts would continue as long as dry weather allows.
It was at another Mission school, St. Joseph Mission Residential School, where student Phyllis Webstad had an orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, taken away when she attended the school in the 1970s.
Webstad's story led to the foundation of Orange Shirt Day, which would become the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
It was established as a federal statutory holiday last year following the discovery of suspected unmarked burial sites at former residential schools.
Webstad was at the Niagara Falls event and said she had a realization while looking at a picture of her family in 2018.
"I realized that for the first time in five generations, children in my family, my grandchildren, are being raised by their mother and their father. (My) granny, (my) mum, me and my son didn't have that because of residential school," she said, surrounded by over a dozen members of her family and extended family.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said in an interview that the day was about residential school survivors and the children who never returned.
"It's their day, especially those who suffered in those institutions and survived and then I also feel that it's for all the little ones who died in those institutions and didn't make it home," she said.
"It's also a time to reflect. It's a time to learn about Canada's true history."
Back in Victoria, a city hall official estimated up to 10,000 people attended the powwow.
“To the survivors, we’re here to support you in any way we can,” said Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam. “I raise my hands to each and every one of you for coming here.”
B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin, holding a deer skin drum made by a residential school survivor, said his heart was full as he looked at how many people had gathered.
“Thank you,” he said. “Be patient with us as we take this journey of reconciliation together.”
Earlier, at Centennial Square in Victoria, hundreds stood silently, some wiping tears, as residential school survivor Eddy Charlie said he needed to share awful truths.
Charlie, from the Cowichan Valley about 45 kilometres north of Victoria, said he was barely five years old when he arrived at a residential school, and years away from his family turned him and others into “perfect hate machines.”
The more he told his story of pain and trauma, the easier it became to heal, he said.
“That is my hope for victory on Orange Shirt Day,” Charlie said.
In Winnipeg, thousands shouted “Every child matters" as they marched to the RBC Convention Centre.
Minegoziibe Anishinabe Chief Derek Nepinak told the crowd that there can’t be reconciliation without truth, and the sites of former schools and sanatoriums must be searched for graves.
“Canada has to make those investments to help us find our lost ones because there are so many of them out there. Once we can identify that, then we can start talking about the true history of what Canada’s built upon — the tears and heartbreak of our people,” he said.
Brandyn Nabess attended the Winnipeg event with his wife and son. His grandmother was forced to attend a residential school as a child, but he says she hid this from her children. He says he was glad to see this changing.
“It’s awesome that they’re finally talking about it. With us, we didn’t acknowledge it, we didn’t talk about it in school whatsoever.”
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon — the first Indigenous person to hold the post — welcomed nearly 100 schoolchildren and staff to Rideau Hall in Ottawa, where she spoke to them about reconciliation.
Simon told the children she grew up speaking Inuktitut. "I still speak my language every day," she said, adding she doesn't want to forget it.
Simon, who is 75, said at her age she’s learning a new language, French, and told the kids it would be good if they could a learn an Indigenous word every day. She then went on to teach them an Inuktitut word that means to never give up.
In Toronto, a group drummed and sang Indigenous songs as a woman in traditional attire danced at a gathering at the city's downtown Nathan Phillips Square.
Kevin Myran, an organizer of the drummers' team, said his grandmother was a residential school survivor and told him horrific stories.
Myran said one day isn’t enough to commemorate the historical losses suffered by Indigenous Peoples.
“It is something (that) needs to be spoken about every day. It is something that needs to be spoken about at schools, this is something that needs to be in history books, and talk about what happened,” he said.
Hundreds gathered in downtown Halifax to mark the day and hear from Acadia First Nation Chief Deborah Robinson and Mi’kmaw elder Alan Knockwood.
Knockwood told the crowd at the city’s Grand Parade that as the community comes together to reflect on Canada’s legacy of colonialism, the children lost in the residential school system are "here in our hearts and they are with us here."
He led a prayer in English and in Mi’kmaw.
"My language is still alive but residential school survivors like myself have a difficult time speaking it because it was beaten out of me."
Many of Nova Scotia’s planned events were postponed due to the damage from post-tropical storm Fiona.
Canada's residential school system, funded by the federal government and run by Catholic churches, was established in the 1800s. It removed roughly 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families. The last school closed in 1997.
Many children were sexually, physically or psychologically abused in the system designed to get the "Indian" out of the child.
In Yellowknife, Shutoatine or Mountain Dene Elder Paul Andrew, a residential school survivor who was formerly chief of Tulita, N.W.T., spoke of late friends with whom he attended the residential school in Inuvik, and the experience of parents "who had their children taken away.“
"I also think about these little ones here,” he said, referring to Indigenous children in the crowd.
“They deserve better. That’s what resiliency is all about. It is people singing their songs, talking about praying in the mornings, it is talking about our language, our culture, our history and teaching the young ones.”
The future of Indigenous children was also on the mind of Webstad at Niagara Falls. She said her children and grandchildren brought her hope and helped her believe that the future is bright.
"The other night I heard my eldest grandson sing for the first time. I almost cried when I heard that," said Webstad, suppressing emotion.
"So, we are getting back our culture."
— With files from Jessica Smith in Niagara Falls, Ont., Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa, Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax, Sharif Hassan in Toronto, Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg and Emily Blake in Yellowknife.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2022.
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
With drumming and singing, at powwows and public ceremonies, communities across the country marked the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Friday.
Friday
The federal statutory holiday, also known as Orange Shirt Day, was established last year to remember children who died while being forced to attend residential schools, as well as those who survived, and the families and communities still affected by lasting trauma.
Grass dancer Nathan Rice, wearing a colourful beaded vest and a feather headdress, said he experienced a sense of hope when he looked out on the thousands of people wearing orange as he performed at a Songhees Nation powwow at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park.
"It's a good step in the right direction," said Rice, 29, who was thinking about his grandfather who attended residential school at Kuper Island, off southern Vancouver Island.
"It's definitely a hard thought for sure, but it definitely gives me strength," he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined representatives of various First Nations and dozens of people in orange for a sunrise ceremony in Niagara Falls, Ont. He stood silently as the ceremony took place and spoke with survivors afterwards.
Later in the morning, Trudeau addressed an event to mark the day.
"This is a day for Indigenous Peoples. Today to recognize that yes, you are still here, you are still strong, and you are an indissociable part of the present and the future we build every day as a country," he told the crowd.
"It is a day to remember, to grieve, to take another step along healing. But it is also a day for non-Indigenous peoples to recognize that you should not have to carry this burden alone."
The speeches and events occur even as the grim work that helped inspire the day continues.
In Mission, B.C., where Orange Shirt Day finds its origins, work began in September to search for graves with ground-penetrating radar at the former St. Mary’s Indian Residential School. The City of Mission said in a statement the efforts would continue as long as dry weather allows.
It was at another Mission school, St. Joseph Mission Residential School, where student Phyllis Webstad had an orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, taken away when she attended the school in the 1970s.
Webstad's story led to the foundation of Orange Shirt Day, which would become the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
It was established as a federal statutory holiday last year following the discovery of suspected unmarked burial sites at former residential schools.
Webstad was at the Niagara Falls event and said she had a realization while looking at a picture of her family in 2018.
"I realized that for the first time in five generations, children in my family, my grandchildren, are being raised by their mother and their father. (My) granny, (my) mum, me and my son didn't have that because of residential school," she said, surrounded by over a dozen members of her family and extended family.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said in an interview that the day was about residential school survivors and the children who never returned.
"It's their day, especially those who suffered in those institutions and survived and then I also feel that it's for all the little ones who died in those institutions and didn't make it home," she said.
"It's also a time to reflect. It's a time to learn about Canada's true history."
Back in Victoria, a city hall official estimated up to 10,000 people attended the powwow.
“To the survivors, we’re here to support you in any way we can,” said Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam. “I raise my hands to each and every one of you for coming here.”
B.C. Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin, holding a deer skin drum made by a residential school survivor, said his heart was full as he looked at how many people had gathered.
Related video: Survivors share their stories on National Day for Truth and ReconciliationDuration 2:30 View on Watch
“Thank you,” he said. “Be patient with us as we take this journey of reconciliation together.”
Earlier, at Centennial Square in Victoria, hundreds stood silently, some wiping tears, as residential school survivor Eddy Charlie said he needed to share awful truths.
Charlie, from the Cowichan Valley about 45 kilometres north of Victoria, said he was barely five years old when he arrived at a residential school, and years away from his family turned him and others into “perfect hate machines.”
The more he told his story of pain and trauma, the easier it became to heal, he said.
“That is my hope for victory on Orange Shirt Day,” Charlie said.
In Winnipeg, thousands shouted “Every child matters" as they marched to the RBC Convention Centre.
Minegoziibe Anishinabe Chief Derek Nepinak told the crowd that there can’t be reconciliation without truth, and the sites of former schools and sanatoriums must be searched for graves.
“Canada has to make those investments to help us find our lost ones because there are so many of them out there. Once we can identify that, then we can start talking about the true history of what Canada’s built upon — the tears and heartbreak of our people,” he said.
Brandyn Nabess attended the Winnipeg event with his wife and son. His grandmother was forced to attend a residential school as a child, but he says she hid this from her children. He says he was glad to see this changing.
“It’s awesome that they’re finally talking about it. With us, we didn’t acknowledge it, we didn’t talk about it in school whatsoever.”
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon — the first Indigenous person to hold the post — welcomed nearly 100 schoolchildren and staff to Rideau Hall in Ottawa, where she spoke to them about reconciliation.
Simon told the children she grew up speaking Inuktitut. "I still speak my language every day," she said, adding she doesn't want to forget it.
Simon, who is 75, said at her age she’s learning a new language, French, and told the kids it would be good if they could a learn an Indigenous word every day. She then went on to teach them an Inuktitut word that means to never give up.
In Toronto, a group drummed and sang Indigenous songs as a woman in traditional attire danced at a gathering at the city's downtown Nathan Phillips Square.
Kevin Myran, an organizer of the drummers' team, said his grandmother was a residential school survivor and told him horrific stories.
Myran said one day isn’t enough to commemorate the historical losses suffered by Indigenous Peoples.
“It is something (that) needs to be spoken about every day. It is something that needs to be spoken about at schools, this is something that needs to be in history books, and talk about what happened,” he said.
Hundreds gathered in downtown Halifax to mark the day and hear from Acadia First Nation Chief Deborah Robinson and Mi’kmaw elder Alan Knockwood.
Knockwood told the crowd at the city’s Grand Parade that as the community comes together to reflect on Canada’s legacy of colonialism, the children lost in the residential school system are "here in our hearts and they are with us here."
He led a prayer in English and in Mi’kmaw.
"My language is still alive but residential school survivors like myself have a difficult time speaking it because it was beaten out of me."
Many of Nova Scotia’s planned events were postponed due to the damage from post-tropical storm Fiona.
Canada's residential school system, funded by the federal government and run by Catholic churches, was established in the 1800s. It removed roughly 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis children from their families. The last school closed in 1997.
Many children were sexually, physically or psychologically abused in the system designed to get the "Indian" out of the child.
In Yellowknife, Shutoatine or Mountain Dene Elder Paul Andrew, a residential school survivor who was formerly chief of Tulita, N.W.T., spoke of late friends with whom he attended the residential school in Inuvik, and the experience of parents "who had their children taken away.“
"I also think about these little ones here,” he said, referring to Indigenous children in the crowd.
“They deserve better. That’s what resiliency is all about. It is people singing their songs, talking about praying in the mornings, it is talking about our language, our culture, our history and teaching the young ones.”
The future of Indigenous children was also on the mind of Webstad at Niagara Falls. She said her children and grandchildren brought her hope and helped her believe that the future is bright.
"The other night I heard my eldest grandson sing for the first time. I almost cried when I heard that," said Webstad, suppressing emotion.
"So, we are getting back our culture."
— With files from Jessica Smith in Niagara Falls, Ont., Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa, Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax, Sharif Hassan in Toronto, Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg and Emily Blake in Yellowknife.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2022.
Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press
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