Truth & Reconciliation Week
The National Day for Truth & Reconciliation is held annually on September 30 to honour the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.
140 federally run residential schools operated in Canada from 1867 to 1996. These schools forcibly removed Indigenous children from their homes and communities, often leading to severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma leaving lasting effects on Survivors and the generations that followed.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a direct response to the Call to Action 80 from the National Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
2024 Orange Shirt Design
RDP Alum, Cori Steele created this year’s Orange Shirt design. Cori (she/her) graduated from the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects program this spring and was a summer intern at the CIM-TAC.
The T-shirts can be purchased at The Lift with all proceeds supporting Indigenous Initiatives at RDP for all students.
"My design centers around a circular shape, symbolizing the unity needed among Indigenous people and allies to share knowledge and raise awareness about the lasting impact of residential schools on the Indigenous population, including both first-hand experiences and generational trauma. The eagle feathers represent the strength and resilience of Indigenous people, and the courage required to confront these traumas directly.
In the design, two children walk towards a radiant sun, which bears the words 'Every Child Matters'. This sun symbolizes the hope that acknowledging the history and impacts of residential schools will guide future generations toward a brighter, more hopeful future. The roots extending from the children's feet signify that, even as we move forward, we remain deeply connected to our past, which has shaped us into the strong Indigenous people we are today and will continue to be. I also chose to depict a brother and sister to emphasize that, despite the separation of families, a deep bond persists among us all. Hyi hyi."
Event Schedule
The Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will be illuminated in orange from Sept 23-30, to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day and to honour the Survivors, their families, and communities.
We encourage staff and students to wear orange all week, including Sept 30, as a sign of commitment to ensure that Every Child Matters and to honour the Survivors of residential schools and those children who did not return home.
Visit the RDP Library between Sept 23 - Oct 1 to check out their display of books & resources to learn more about the TRC, residential schools, and Survivor stories.
Sept 23 | Flag Raising & Documentary Screening
Indigenous Flag Raising and Opening Ceremony
9 – 9:30 am | Flag Poles on Main Campus
nanekawâsis Documentary Screening
10 – 11:45 am | Arts Centre Main Stage
nanekawâsis is a documentary-style film offering previously unheard insights about nêhiyaw artist George Littlechild’s life and work Littlechild’s artwork draws from a unique perspective as a two-spirit person and ‘60s scoop survivor. The documentary provides a deeper introduction to a renowned Indigenous artist and how colonialism in Canada impacts both art and artist.
Soup and Bannock Lunch
12 – 1 pm | Arts Centre Foyer
Join George Littlechild & director Conor McNally for a Meet & Greet during a Soup and Bannock lunch after the screening.
Sept 24 | Arts & Crafts
10 am – 2 pm | Red Deer Bottling Forum (by Tim Hortons)
Join Indigenous Initiatives staff & SARDP representatives in the Forum to design your own Orange Shirt Day button or felt pin. You may also paint a rock to add to a display on campus.
All materials provided.
Sept 25 | Story Sharing
Patricia Marshall | 11 am – 12 pm | Cornerstone (Room 1500)
Patricia will speak to Truth & Reconciliation from a historical perspective and Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing.
Devyn Shannon | 3 – 4 pm | The Loft (Room 2000)
Devynn will share a storytelling of ‘The Dance of Kiusé (Sun) & Dewis (Moon)’.
Pronunciation: KAY-oo-say & Day-WISS
Sept 26 | Story Sharing
Lloyd Desjarlais | 3 – 4 pm | The Loft (Room 2000)
Lloyd will share perspectives of a child of a residential school Survivor and about the Truth & Reconciliation Commission.
Sept 30 | National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
With campus being closed in honour of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, we encourage everyone to take this day to listen to the stories of those impacted by the residential school system and learn more about how you can play a part in reconciliation.
Resources
"Reconciliation is not about “closing a sad chapter of Canada’s past,” but about opening new healing pathways of reconciliation that are forged in truth and justice. We are mindful that knowing the truth about what happened in residential schools in and of itself does not necessarily lead to reconciliation. Yet, the importance of truth-telling in its own right should not be underestimated; it restores the human dignity of victims of violence and calls governments and citizens to account. Without truth, justice is not served, healing cannot happen, and there can be no genuine reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada." ~ Honouring the Truth,
Reconciling for the Future, Summary of the TRC Final Report