Monday is the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
It’s a day to recognize and reflect on the devastating colonial legacy of residential schools by commemorating the children who were murdered in the system and expressing solidarity with those who survived.
Here are some ways that we encourage you to show your support and solidarity:
1. Wear an Orange Shirt – As I dressed my 2 year old for Orange Shirt Day at his daycare on Friday, I reflected on the story of Phyllis Webstad. Phyllis was just six years old when she wore a new orange shirt that her grandmother gifted her for her first day of residential school. Upon arrival, she was stripped of all her clothes and belongings including the orange shirt. Inspired by Phyllis’ story, the colour orange has become a unifying symbol for the ‘Every Child Matters’ movement which commemorates the children abused and murdered in the residential school system and honours the survivors.
Today, Phyllis is the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society and works actively to support the healing process of residential school survivors. You can learn more about how to support the Orange Shirt Society here.
Find a shirt that supports Indigenous organizations: Every year, the Orange Shirt Society selects a new design to represent the official Orange Shirt. For Orange Shirt Day 2024, you can find the official retailers here. Or you can purchase a design by an Indigenous Brand such as Red Rebel Armour or Shop First Nations.
2. Listen to and Support Residential School Survivors – Truth and Reconciliation cannot happen until the truth is heard. Often, the truth is hard to hear for non-Indigenous people. But it is critical for settlers to grapple with Canada’s colonial history and present for true reconciliation. Beyond just listening, it’s important to actively support residential school survivors. Consider some of the following actions:
- Join a local Truth and Reconciliation Day Event: Here’s a list of events across BC, google search your town or city to find events near you
- Here is a list of books you can read to explain the significance of this day to children.
- Donate to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society.
- Consider donating One Day’s Pay: Join a movement of non-Indigenous people across the country who are donating one day’s pay or what you can afford to Indigenous-led projects, movements, organizations and nations. Learn more here.
- Read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Watch the film Sugarcane, which offers a powerful tribute to the resilience of First Nations people and their way of life, and opens in 27 cinemas across Canada starting today. This film is directed by our former 350 colleague Julian Brave Noisecat.
3. Follow the leadership of Indigenous Land Defenders – Indigenous peoples and communities are disproportionately on the frontlines of resource extraction, environmental destruction, and climate impacts. In order to build a truly just future for all, we must follow the leadership of Indigenous land defenders who are courageously resisting environmental and climate injustice.
- Support and Donate to Sacred Earth Solar, an Indigenous organization, founded by former 350 Board Member Melina Laboucan-Massimo, that is leading the charge towards a renewable energy future.
- Read this recently published, powerful piece by the Chief of Grassy Narrows about the government’s “deafening silence” in response to the devastating ongoing poisoning of Grassy Narrows.
- Support and Donate to Indigenous Climate Action and their programs to promote climate justice.
- Watch the Power to the People docu-series to learn more about how Indigenous communities are leading the just transition to a clean energy future.
We hope these resources were helpful and that you will take time to reflect on our collective journey towards Truth and Reconciliation.
In solidarity,
Atiya and the 350 Canada Team