National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Posted on September 30, 2021
The First Nations Education Administrators Association celebrates the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Thursday, September 30, 2021. First Nations schools honour this day to with remembrances, ceremonies and special events that honour residential school survivors and their families and communities.
First Nations Schools develop “Orange Shirt” Day programming that range from honour ceremonies and events to language and culture programs. Send your programs and photos and we will post them on our website, to Simon Bird at: sbird@fneaa.ca
Watch and share FNEAA’s video message for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Thomas Moore Keesick more than just a face. He may not have had a long life — but his legacy lives on as the face of Indian residential schools, read more.
A new day to honour survivors, their families, and communities.
In June, the federal government passed new legislation making September 30 a national statutory holiday commemorating National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The designation of this day is in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and is meant to honour survivors, their families, and communities. It also ensures the ongoing commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools will remain a vital part of the reconciliation process.
This new designated paid holiday applies to federally regulated public and private sectors — specifically, the federal public service and employers subject to the Canada Labour Code. Current collective agreements include provisions to allow for an additional designated holiday if one is proclaimed by an act of Parliament.
As a result, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a designated paid holiday and will allow employees in the federal public service to observe and participate in this important day starting September 2021.
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day began in Williams Lake in 2013 and has since spread to schools across B.C. and Canada. (Orangeshirtday.org) Orange Shirt Day (September 30th) is a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools.
The “orange shirt” in Orange Shirt Day refers to the new shirt that Phyllis Webstad was given to her by her grandmother for her first day of school at St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia. When Phyllis got to school, they took away her clothes, including her new shirt. It was never returned. To Phyllis, the colour orange has always reminded her of her experiences at residential school and, as she has said, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
The message that Phyllis wants to pass along on Orange Shirt Day — and every day — is that every child matters. Orange Shirt Day was started by Phyllis to educate people about residential schools and fight racism and bullying.
There are many ways you can get involved!
On Thursday, September 30, 2021
- Wear an orange shirt on September 30th
- This year, students can watch a virtual event online hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Share Phyllis’ story. You can watch it on YouTube
- Read Phyllis’ story “The Orange Shirt Story” with your classroom or your family. It’s available in English, French and Shuswap.
- Read books by Indigenous authors about residential schools, go to link at CBCKids.
- Trace your hand and write something on it that you can do to help others feel like they matter.