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This editorial speaks about residential schools, missing children and the traumatic experiences of the Survivors of this system. Please take care while interacting with the materials below.
If you or someone you know needs help or requires emotional support, services are available:
The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free: 1-866-925-4419
First Nations, Inuit and Metis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free: 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
Metis Crisis Line in BC: 1-888-638-4722
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September 30th is both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. A day to recognize the impact of Canada’s residential school system and continue to learn the many truths of these institutions.
In 2021, the Government of Canada passed Bill C-5 to designate this day the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“Today is a day to honour and remember residential school survivors and their families. We must also remember those children that never made it and are no longer with us. Today is a day for survivors to tell their stories and for us to listen with open hearts.” —Phyllis Webstad, creator of Orange Shirt Day
At NIC, we recognize that as an educational institution, we have a responsibility to honour, respect and support Indigenous peoples, cultures and identities as we move towards a future of reconciliation and hope.
What is Orange Shirt Day?
Established in 2013 by Phyllis Webstad, Orange Shirt Day recognizes the impact of the Residential School System for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families and communities.
By wearing orange, we acknowledge the truths of Residential Schools in Canada, we honour Survivors and we remember the thousands of children never returned home.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) is a federal statutory day when we honour Survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and impact of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process. NDTR is a day to reaffirm to Survivors and all those who have been affected by the residential school system, that they matter, and they will never be forgotten.
How do I participate?
#1 Wear an orange shirt.
Wear an orange shirt the week leading up to September 30 and on the day. You can purchase an orange shirt from NISUEats or the NIC Bookstore. The shirts feature the artwork of Andy Everson, a Northwest Coast Artist of the K'ómoks First Nation. Sale of the shirts includes a donation to the Wachiay Friendship Centre Society.
Read about how Phyllis Webstad's 1st day at residential school inspired a movement and how Orange Shirt Day started in 2013.
#2 Hear their stories.
"A Survivor is not just someone who “made it through” the schools, or “got by” or was “making do.” A Survivor is a person who persevered against and overcame adversity. The word came to mean someone who emerged victorious, though not unscathed, whose head was “bloody but unbowed.” It referred to someone who had taken all that could be thrown at them and remained standing at the end. It came to mean someone who could legitimately say “I am still here!” For that achievement, Survivors deserve our highest respect. But, for that achievement, we also owe them the debt of doing the right thing. Reconciliation is the right thing to do, coming out of this history."
—Excerpt from The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
#3 Territorial acknowledgements – why they matter.
Learn more about the lands you may reside on and their histories.
#4 Attend our series of Lunch and Learns and encourage others to join too.
Join free online sessions with the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation between September 23 - 27, 2024 to un-learn the myths of colonial history in Canada.
- Monday, Sept 23: Health related impacts of the residential school system.
- Tuesday, Sept 24: Allyship and confronting unconscious bias.
- Wednesday, Sept 25: Impacts and addressing Indigenous identity fraud.
- Thursday, Sept 26: A community perspective of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Friday, Sept 27: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation?
Register here.
#5 Walk a path of Truth and Reconciliation.
Residential schools, and colonization in general, are just two of the many examples of the significant disrespect that has been traditionally shown to Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing. By joining others on a journey to reflect on colonialization and the impact of residential schools, you can take steps towards reconciliation. We all can take steps to learn and know more about Indigenous cultures and identities, reflect and remember the impacts of residential schools and colonialization, and think about what more we can do to move towards reconciliation.
Through experiential in-person and online activities, you will have the opportunity to reflect and respond to questions about Orange Shirt Day, Truth and Reconciliation, and Reconcili-Action.
In-person Reflection Stations
Virtual Experiences
There are questions embedded into the videos below for you to consider. Additional black buttons will pop up to offer resources for you to learn from, if you choose.
If you choose to use the videos to actively walk the route, please be sure to pause during your walk to read your screen. Looking at your screen while moving is not a safe practice.
Campbell River
Comox Valley
Port Alberni
Reflection Opportunities
There are seven reflection opportunities that are available to you. You are invited to share your reflections through anonymous forms.
- Orange Shirt Day
- Territorial Acknowledgements
- Indigenous Peoples, Territories and Culture
- Cultural and Personal Identity
- Impact of Residential Schools
- Reconciliation
- Reconcili-Action
#6 Seed paper orange shirt day reflection.
Student Life has paper seed orange T-shirts available for community members to share their thoughts on Orange Shirt Day during the tabling events listed below. After the events, these shirts will be planted at key campus locations as a visual reminder of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. As the shirts biodegrade, the seeds within them will grow into flowers, symbolizing ongoing reflection and remembrance.
- Port Alberni, Tuesday, Sept 24, 10 – 11 am at Roger St. and 12:30 – 1 pm at Tebo Centre
- Campbell River, Wednesday, Sept 25, 11 am – 1 pm at the front entrance
- Comox Valley, Thursday, Sept 26, 11 am – 1 pm in the Tyee Building
- Mixalakwila, TBD, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, Lounge
#7 Attend community events or activities.
Campbell River Every Child Matters: 11 am – 2:30 pm, Spirit Square, Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC V9W 2C8
Stories told by Residential School/Indian Day/Boarding home Survivors: 2:30 pm, Tidemark Theatre, 1220 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC V9W 2C8
Comox Valley Spirit Walk: 11 am – 5 pm. Register at the Florence Filberg Centre at 411 Anderton Avenue to receive a map of the walking route.
Port Alberni National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Celebration: 10 am, Walk starts at ADSS, 4000 Roger Street, Port Alberni; 12 pm, Celebration begins at Maht Mahs, 5000 Mission Road, Tseshaht First Nation, Port Alberni.
Spread awareness and engage with others about the significance of this day. These resources are not an exhaustive list, rather a starting point. Additional details are still being collected. Please email studentlife@nic.bc.ca to share additional information about community events.
More Ways to Get Involved
Learn
Act
Donate to the NIC Foundation and specify that you would like your donation to go to a specific award or to student who identifies as Indigenous. Some of the awards specific to Indigenous students include (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Bigfoot Donuts Bursary in Support of Indigenous Students
- Evelyn Voyageur Nursing Bursary
- Indigenous Corporate Training Award
Donate to Indigenous organizations:
Get involved with local friendship centres
Learn about Indigenous culture
Healing and Support
NIC Counselling
- Counselling and support resources for NIC students
- Book a counselling appointment
- Note: if this is an emergency, or you need to speak to someone outside of regular office hours, please call 911, Here2Talk: 1-877-857-3397 (24/7 free student counselling service) or the Vancouver Crisis Line (24/7) 1-888-494-3888
Indian Residential School Survivors Society provides access to counselling, cultural and emotional support services to former students of residential and day schools, and their families, regardless of status. Call toll-free 1-800-721-0066 or visit www.irsss.ca
Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society provides healing and cultural supports, including services for communities carrying out work on the sites of former Indian Residential Schools and Indian Hospitals. Call 1-888-403-3123 or visit www.tsowtunlelum.org
First Nations Health Benefits provides access to mental wellness and counselling services. Call 1-855-550-5454 or visit www.fnha.ca/benefits
