How to engage, commemorate Orange Shirt Day this Sept. 30
From museum exhibits to marches, online webinars to workshops, there are a variety of ways to participate in the second edition of Canada’s National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
The last day of September this year marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The new public holiday commemorates the children lost to the boarding school system and honors the survivors, their families and their communities.
Whether you want to educate yourself, support local Indigenous artists, or attend events, this roundup covers everything happening on the Day of Truth and Reconciliation on the North Shore and beyond.
On T&R with James Harry with Griffin Arts Projects
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Namgi’s First Nation artist James Harry is hosting a Zoom webinar to discuss Xwemelch’stn (2019), a permanent installation inspired by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community’s connection to land, animals and water, now located at Park Royal in West Vancouver. The talk is a collaboration between Harry, the non-profit gallery Griffin Art Projects and SOS Children’s Villages BC, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session led by Indigenous curatorial assistant Emmett Hanly.
Friday, September 30, 1:00-2:30 p.m. Registration for the webinar is available on the Griffin Art Projects website.
Buy an orange shirt
Formerly known as Orange Shirt Day before being recognized as National Truth and Reconciliation Day last year, since 2013 the concept has been to educate about the history of the home schooling system by drawing attention to the story of Phyllis Jack Webstad. Webstad was a Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation student in 1973 who had her brand new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at a boarding school when she was six years old. Now supporters across the country are donning orange in support of her and the countless others affected. Shirts can be purchased from independent stores such as Kit and Kaboodle and Dreamcatcher Promotions, or from the Orange Shirt Day website and the National Center for Truth and Reconciliation website.
Educational Opportunities at the West Vancouver Library
Through September 30, the West Vancouver Memorial Library will be showing educational films, hosting lectures, and making book packs available, each containing a book on truth, reconciliation, and Indigenous fiction for loan. On the day itself, the library offers education for young people via storytelling, songs and crafts, an event in collaboration with the author of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Lisa Lewis. An in-depth look at the cultural practice of cedar harvesting is also provided online by T’sou-ke Elder Jeff Welch and former WVML climate writer Katłįà Lafferty, author of WVML.
Friday, September 30th. Check the WVML website for times and more information.
Online: Truth and Reconciliation Week
The NCTR is hosting a five-day online event for schools and the general public that will include videos, talks, Q&A, performances and workshops around this year’s theme, Remembering the Children. With this year’s offerings, including an expanded program of age-appropriate materials for children in grades 1-12, there are many opportunities for the whole family to learn and remember together.
September 26-30, all materials are available virtually on the NCTR website.
New exhibitions and revelations at the Gordon Smith Gallery
On Saturday 24 September, the Gordon Smith Gallery will present the long-awaited limited edition print by Anishinaabe artist Charlene Vickers, followed by a talk by the artist at 12pm, and open her new exhibition. paths. paths Examines real and imaginary journeys through the work of various Indigenous artists from Artists for Kids’ permanent collection, including Charlene Vickers and weaver Angela George.
24 September, Gordon Smith Gallery.
Permanent art exhibition at MONOVA
Throughout September, the Museum of North Vancouver invites children and adults alike to get creative with the cause by writing their thoughts and reflections on truth and reconciliation on orange paper T-shirts. The large shirts are then displayed in the museum, where guests can view them until the end of the month.
All September at MONOVA. For more information on MONOVA’s approach to T&R Day, visit its website
Donate
There is an ever-growing number of charities primarily focused on supporting boarding school survivors. Among the most notable are the Orange Shirt Society, the Legacy of Hope Foundation, and the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society.
generation march
The UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center will host an educational march on its campus on the 30th that is open to staff, students, faculty and members of the community. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and lasts until 2:30 p.m. The march will be held against a backdrop of entertainment (performances by Tsatsu Stalqya / Coastal Wolf Pack), food trucks, lectures and educational workshops. It begins on campus with an opening by Elder John Jones and Elder Yvonne Rigsby Jones before ending at the Engineering Cairn.
30 September, Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center Canada. Visit UBC’s website for more information.
This is a continuously updated article. Know of other ways to get involved in this year’s T&R Day? Contact the North Shore News Indigenous and Civic Affairs reporter at:
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This reporting cycle is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.