Why do we wear orange?
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledge and discuss the effects of residential schools on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Today we honor the experiences and celebrate the resilience, of Indigenous People and communities. Today we also reiterate, in unison, that #EveryChildMatters.
While it’s important to show support on this important day, it’s our belief that to enact the further change we need to fully understand and appreciate the history, in order to move forward together in kinship with Indigenous communities. So we’ve compiled a few resources to aid in your journey.
One excellent resource is The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Survivors_Speak_English_Web.pdf)
Another very good resource is the Legacy of Hope Foundation (https://legacyofhope.ca/wherearethechildren/), which features a historical timeline of the Indian Residential School system, and stories from Survivors. These stories are difficult to hear, and even more difficult to comprehend. But acknowledging them is an important step in moving forward and supporting the healing of our Indigenous neighbors, friends, colleagues, and families.
If you’ve got the time, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission heard testimony from hundreds of survivors. Their mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools, and their work was solidified into several reports, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action. https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
As The Honourable Murray Sinclair expressed about the Commission’s work, “We understood from the moment, very deeply, not only the significance of what we were doing but the sacredness of it.” And indeed, if this work had not been undertaken, we may not be wearing orange today, and beginning the process of healing and reconciliation.
As always, Indigenous Consulting wishes you and your organization an insightful journey and is here to support your progress.
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