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NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION AND ORANGE SHIRT DAY

September 30, 2023

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was first observed in 2021.

Orange Shirt Day is a grassroots commemorative day that was created in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad who is Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band) and a residential school survivor.  

Whether it is called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or Orange Shirt Day, the day recognizes and honours the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, and the families and communities who were forever impacted by the forcible separation of children from their homes. During the separation of children from their homes and communities, they were forbidden and punished for speaking their own languages and retaining any vestiges of their Indigenous heritages and cultures.

As part of the public commemoration of the painful history and impacts of residential schools, people across Canada are encouraged to wear orange to honour the Indigenous peoples and communities who suffered at the hands of this government and church endorsed system.

Across the country, hundreds of activities will commemorate the history and legacy of residential schools.

Spotlight on Concordia's EV and AD buildings 

Concordia participates in Light the Country Orange headed by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR). The initiative encourages communities across Canada to light the exterior of their buildings orange to honour the Indigenous children sent to residential schools in Canada.  

Concordia’s EV and AD buildings will be illuminated in orange light on September 30 from 7 to 11:30 p.m.

Concordia's website will also be "turned orange" from 12:00 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. September 30 in recognition of this day. 

 

SGW Campus EV building
Loyola Campus AD building

Events and activities

Since Orange Shirt Day falls on a Saturday this year, we invite you to join us throughout the week leading up to National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 25 - 29) for a series of activities and opportunities to share and learn.

Participate on social media by sharing photos wearing your orange shirt with the hashtags #NDTR #Concordia

Meet Nicolas Renaud, a Concordia professor and artist from the Huron-Wendat First Nation

See why First Peoples Studies professor, Nicolas Renauld, says that education is crucial for reconciliation and decolonization. 

Decolonizing and Indigenizing Curriculum and Pedagogy
A 5 Year Strategic Implementation Plan

The Centre for Teaching and Learning's Office of Decolonizing Curriculum and Pedagogy launched a Five Year Strategic Implementation Plan on decolonizing and Indigenizing curriculum and pedagogy on September 8, 2023 with Kahérakwas Donna Goodleaf and members of the Indigenous Decolonization Hub.

A Call to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee's recommendations are the result of years of painstaking research, testimony, and reflection of which Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild played a part. 

On June 11, 2018, Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild was awarded a 2018 Concordia Honorary Doctorate. In his closing, he challenged the graduating class to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Actionurging them to “pick one that speaks to you and implement it.”  

The recommendations offer a comprehensive roadmap for addressing historical injustices, fostering reconciliation, and building bridges among communities. By embracing these recommendations, you can be a part of the change we all wish to see in our world.

Learn

Resources

See the recommendations

A great-grandfather’s story

Read James Greyeyes's story

Indigenous days of significance

See the list

Otsenhákta Student Centre 2nd annunal Pow Wow

A day of celebrating, dancing and singing open to all.

Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Loyola Campus Quad Space

We would like to acknowledge that Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, the lands and waters on which we gather today.

As we commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, let us embark on a collective journey of enlightenment, solidarity, and reconciliation. 

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