Truth and Reconciliation Week

Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to reconciliation and creating an inclusive, culturally diverse campus for everyone. And, in the spirit of truth, reconciliation, and our commitment toward indigenization, we can learn from and commemorate with Indigenous peoples.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, held Saturday, September 30, seeks to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors and their families and communities and to ensure public commemoration of their history and ongoing impacts of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process. Also known as Orange Shirt Day, this day falls on the last day of a week-long initiative to raise awareness and encourage engagement.

Although the Polytechnic is closed on September 30, the reflection opportunities are endless, and ceremonies are held throughout our community via our community partners. Consider wearing an orange shirt, which symbolizes the stripping of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by the many generations of Indigenous children and their families. All Canadians are encouraged to wear orange shirts on September 30, or throughout the week, in honour of the thousands of residential school Survivors.

Initiatives such as Truth and Reconciliation Week held by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation precedes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with educational initiatives that share knowledge and memorialize children lost to residential schools and honour Survivors and their families through First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge keepers. Inspired by their lead, RDP will hold awareness and engagement initiatives throughout the week, enabling the Polytechnic community and Indigenous partners to cultivate reciprocal relationships, hold space for Indigenous students, and create learning and engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community members.

We invite you to join us for one or all of the events taking place from Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 29, 2023.

Monday, September 25 to Friday, September 29

September 25

• George Littlechild Artwork Unveiling | 11:30 am | Arts Centre Main Stage 
  • Soup and Bannock lunch to follow, Arts Centre Foyer
  • Further information is below
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Timeline Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway and Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action | All Day | Students' Association Stairs
• Truth and Reconciliation Book Selection | All Day | Library
• In honour of the week, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display orange lights on this day from dusk to dawn to bring awareness to the tragic and painful history of residential schools

September 26

• Feather Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway
  • Create a Feather
  • Further information below!
• Screening: Indian Horse | 11 am | Main Stage (Arts Centre)
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Timeline Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway and Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action | All Day | Students' Association Stairs
• Truth and Reconciliation Book Selection | All Day | Library
• In honour of the week, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display yellow, white, blue, red and black lights on this day from dusk to dawn, to demonstrate respect for the enduring relationships with Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Métis Nations

September 27

• Feather Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway
• Pop-up Booth for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women | 10 am - 1 pm | Forum
• Screening: We Were Children | 11 am | Margaret Parsons Theatre
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Timeline Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway and Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action | All Day | Students' Association Stairs
• Truth and Reconciliation Book Selection | All Day | Library
• In honour of the week, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display orange lights on this day from dusk to dawn to bring awareness to the tragic and painful history of residential schools

For Faculty and Staff

• Tea & Chat with Indigenous Learning Designer | 11 am - 1 pm | CTLS (Room 913C)
  • Drop-in event. 
  • Check out our other Faculty and Staff learning opportunities below!

September 28

• Indigenous Flag Raising Ceremony | 10 am | Red Deer Polytechnic's Main Campus, flag pole near front entrance
  • Open to the Public
• Feather Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway
• Truth and Reconciliation Support & Action Booth | 11 am - 1 pm | Students' Association Stairs
• Screening: The Grizzlies | 11 am | Main Stage (Arts Centre)
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Timeline Display | All Day | Main Campus Hallway and Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action | All Day | Students' Association Stairs
• Truth and Reconciliation Book Selection | All Day | Library
• In honour of the week, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display yellow, white, blue, red and black lights on this day from dusk to dawn, to demonstrate respect for the enduring relationships with Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Métis Nations

September 29

• The Polytechnic is closed in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Consider attending local ceremonies and gatherings in your community.

• In honour of the week, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display orange lights on this day from dusk to dawn to bring awareness to the tragic and painful history of residential schools

George Littlechild Artwork Unveiling

The Students' Association of RDP (SARDP), public employees of RDP, and the RDP Alumni Association have purchased an amazing piece of art created by RDP Alum and well-known Canadian First Nations artist, George Littlechild. These organizations are graciously sharing the artwork with the campus community, in recognition of George's connection to the Polytechnic.

The artwork will be officially unveiled at a special event held at 11:30 am on Monday, September 25 in RDP's Arts Centre. This is also the first day of Truth and Reconciliation week at RDP. The artist, along with local First Nations leaders will be present to celebrate the story and sharing of this painting. Mr. Littlechild will share his personal history as a former student and artist, and the creative impact our institution had on his life and career. All alumni and interested community members are welcome to join the RDP Community to attend the unveiling. There will be free parking in Lot P West.

Following the event, a Soup & Bannock lunch will be held in the Arts Centre foyer.

George Littlechild’s artwork has been a catalyst for conversation around the tragic history of residential schools, and other cultural, social, and political injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples. You can learn more about George, his work and mission on his website.

Feather Display

 

Create a feather and contribute to the Feather and Timeline Display during Truth and Reconciliation Week.

Students, staff, faculty, and community members are invited to contribute to an upcoming event as part of Truth and Reconciliation Week that will be bringing awareness to the residential school experience and the persisting legacy for survivors and communities of this system, and to memorialize and honour the children who did not make it home. We are encouraging that this be an opportunity to share, educate and gather creative and thoughtful contributions from family, friends and community members where appropriate.

This Feather Display at Red Deer Polytechnic began in fall 2021, we received over 700 submission during this first year and had an incredibly impactful installation. The use of feathers was inspired by an art piece that was created by Kayla Bridget Williams-Maclean, a mixed Inuk artist living in Labrador. The piece was created shortly after the first discovery of 215 unmarked graves of Indigenous children at Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021, it depicts the residential school with the number "215" over the main door way, and birds erupting from the building and flying upwards towards the sky. Kayla's description of this art piece was "They are set free...", as her piece symbolizes the spirits of these children being set free.

Feathers will also be completed throughout Truth and Reconciliation Week at various locations on campus and will be continuously added to the main hallway display. In creating a feather, we ask that it is done in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation and with positive intention towards a transformative and meaningful relationship with Indigenous peoples’, but also in honour of the Indigenous children who did not survive their residential school experience.

Consider the following when creating your feather:

• What is your message to the children whose lives were lost? Their families and communities? How might you portray this in words or art.
• What needs to be done on the path to Truth and Reconciliation?
• What does reconciliation mean to you?

Faculty and Staff

Have tea and chat with RDP Indigenous Learning Designer Patricia Marshall:

Discuss Truth and Reconciliation in your classroom, lessons, curriculum, and teaching practice. Drop in and chat with Indigenous Learning Designer Patricia Marshall. Patricia will be available to answer any questions. These sessions are open to both faculty and staff.

When: Drop by the CTL (913C) on

Wednesday, September 27 between 11 am - 1 pm 

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Read a book:

Can a book club be a catalyst for social change? We think so.

The Quiet Book Club is committed to featuring Indigenous voices and authors through its book selections.

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite all students, staff, and faculty to read the current Quiet Book Club selection Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice.

This featured title was recommended by Lindsay Engel - RDP Vice President Academic and Student Experience.

“Moon of the Crusted Snow is an Indigenous horror set in the Canadian North. This engaging narrative talks about leadership and survival and has excellent character development, including perspectives from two indigenous College students. I devoured this book because of its storytelling and suspense, but I appreciate it for sharing Indigenous ways of knowing.”- Lindsay

Learn more about Moon of the Crusted Snow on the Quiet Book Club guide.

What is the Quiet Book Club? A chance to read a book, in quiet solitude, and then come together for a collegial discussion at the end! A no-pressure Book Club! Books are chosen based on their relevance to professional development or current topics of interest at Red Deer Polytechnic.

The Quiet Book Club is a joint initiative between the Centre of Teaching, Learning and Scholarship and the Library. For more information please contact Kasey [dot] Fulton [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (Kasey Fulton) or Sona [dot] Macnaughton [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (Sona Macnaughton).

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Wear an orange shirt:

On September 30, wear orange to honour the children who survived the Indian Residential Schools, remember those that didn’t, and raise awareness about the history and legacies of the residential school system in Canada.

Thursday, September 28

Indigenous Flag Raising Ceremony | 10 am | Red Deer Polytechnic's Main Campus, flag pole near front entrance

• Open to the public

Friday, September 29

The Polytechnic is closed in observance of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Consider attending local ceremonies and gatherings in your community. 

Saturday, September 30

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the exterior lights of Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre will display orange lights on this day from dusk to dawn to bring awareness to the tragic and painful history of residential schools.