Recognize the National day for Truth and Reconciliation with UBC CEIH

September 30th, 2023

What is Truth and Reconciliation Day/Orange Shirt Day and why is it important?

Truth and Reconciliation Day, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is an important observation that happens annually on September 30th. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the historical and ongoing impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous peoples in Canada. Its origins as Orange Shirt Day, were to bring to light the experiences of Phyllis Webster, a residential school survivor, who in 1973 had her brand new orange shirt taken away from her upon arrival to St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia. The experience of having her clothing stripped away symbolizes the loss of identity and culture that Indigenous children endured in these schools. The Canadian government officially recognized the day on September 30, 2021, where it was designated as National Truth and Reconciliation Day. The importance of this day lies in its historical acknowledgement, prompting all Canadians to educate themselves, to honour survivors and their families, to reconcile the wrongdoings of the past, and to highlight the calls to action and work that still needs to be done to support Indigenous communities, and address the ongoing socio-economic disparities and systemic issues faced by Indigenous peoples.

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It is your turn! Take action, check out TRC related events going on in community:

• Vancouver: BC Lions hosting 3rd annual Orange Shirt Day game | CTV News This is a fun event people can attend to support TRC/Orange shirt day
  
• Vancouver: Intergenerational March to commemorate Orange Shirt Day – Event | UBC Applied Science UBC is doing a march to commemorate Orange Shirt Day – hosted by the Faculty of Science located at the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Canada.
  
• Vancouver: The Arts Umbrella on Granville Island is also hosting an event from 10am until 3pm on Granville and will include some time to reflect and educate as well as some appropriate activities. https://redi.med.ubc.ca/an-affliction-of-our-stories-contemplating-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ 
  
• Vancouver: The Arts Umbrella on Granville Island is also hosting an event from 10am until 3pm on Granville and will include some time to reflect and educate as well as some appropriate activities. https://redi.med.ubc.ca/an-affliction-of-our-stories-contemplating-the-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/ 
  
• Vancouver: Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society will honour the lost children and survivors from the residential school system with a National Day For Truth And Reconciliation event at John Hendry Park at Trout Lake Community Centre on Sept. 30, from 1pm to 4pm
  
• Vancouver: Hastings Community Association hosts an Orange Shirt Day event at Templeton Welcome Garden. The event will include Indigenous speakers, drumming, Earth art, tea music, garden tours and ice cream
  
  White Rock: Semiahmoo First Nation’s 3rd Annual Walk for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30
  
• New Westminster: Spirit of the Children Society will host a pipe ceremony at Westminster Pier Park on Sept. 30 to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.
  
• Maple Ridge: PLEA Community Services will host an event at Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 30 starting at 10 a.m. with local Indigenous people, including the Katzie First Nations to raise awareness of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
  
• Surrey: Skookum Surrey will host an afternoon of drumming, sharing, tea and bannock at Holland Park in Surrey to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The free event on Sept. 30 runs from 3 to 5 p.m.

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Celebrate TRC at UBC!

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Wellness Resources

Engaging with Indian Residential School histories and legacies can lead to emotional reactions and (unexpectedly) difficult thoughts and feelings. Sometimes these can surface hours, days, or weeks later. This is perfectly normal. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it is important to respect your needs and to be kind to yourself. 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society Toll-Free Line 1 (800) 721-0066

24-Hour National Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419

KUU-US Crisis Line 1 (800) 588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum 1 (866) 925-4419

Indigenous Wellness Program (604) 675-2551 or 1 (866) 884-0888

Canadian Mental Health Association1 (800) 555-8222

HeretoHelp 1 (800) 661-2121

First Nations Health Authority – Mental Health Benefit

Métis Nation BC – Mental Health Services

Kids Help Phone1 (800) 668-6868

Crisis Services Canada 1 (833) 456-4566 or text 45645

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 (855) 242-3310

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