Kendall Robertson // Prince George Chamber of Commerce
September 30th, 2021 marks the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The new statutory holiday coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which is a day to discuss the effects of the residential school system while reflecting on Canada’s colonial history.
There are several events taking place in Prince George, and across the country, to commemorate the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park
Due to rising COVID-19 cases in the Northern Health region, the original event has been cancelled. However, an informal drum circle and an honouring walk will take place at 2:15 p.m. Don’t forget to wear your orange shirt to affirm that Every Child Matters. Participants are also encouraged to bring flowers to the 215 Monument at the Exploration Place.
University of Northern British Columbia
If you’d like to participate in ceremonies from the comfort of your own home, UNBC is hosting the Truth and Reconciliation Talking Circle on Zoom from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Indigenous Initiatives department hosts, Dr. Henry Harder and Brandon Prince, will lead you through the talking circle where you will learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, highlight the work that still needs to be done, and celebrate Indigenous culture. The 90 minute event will also include singing, dancing, storytelling, and presentations from several UNBC faculty members. All members of the community are invited to participate. You are asked to wear your orange shirt to affirm that Every Child Matters and honour the experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Drum for the Children
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is encouraging people around the globe to drum and sing to honour the missing children who were taken away from their families and made to attend Residential Schools at 2:15 p.m. Pacific Time on September 30th. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is calling on participants to learn the Secwepemc Honour Song so that all who join in may do so in unity with drumbeat and voice. The song is available through Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc social media channels as well as on the dedicated web page.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 27th to October 1st. The programming includes videos created by Indigenous storytellers, followed by discussions with Elders, knowledge keepers, survivors, and the children of residential school survivors. Artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists will also be shared throughout the week. Each session also includes classroom activities for students. Register online to participate.
What is Truth and Reconciliation?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was created as a result of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in 2007. It aimed to facilitate reconciliation among residential school survivors, their families, their communities, and all Canadians. It traveled the country from 2007 to 2015 to hear the stories of more than 6500 witnesses of the residential school system. It also hosted 7 events that educated Canadians about the history of residential schools and honoured the experiences of survivors and their families.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission published 94 calls to action for the federal government to follow that would address the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples. The 80th call to action was to implement a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” Many of the remaining calls to action have not been completed.
About the author: After completing a Broadcast News diploma at SAIT in Calgary, Kendall worked in a small TV newsroom in Dawson Creek. She was delighted to move home in 2017 to work at the local TV news station, where she reported on a variety of stories that affect northern residents, anchored the evening program, and produced an hour-long documentary about the history and growth of Prince George called “This Place We Call Home.” Kendall is a huge supporter of all things local and enjoys working with business professionals in her role at the Chamber of Commerce.