Will You Wear Orange on September 30?
Every year, both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
what is september 30 all about?
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, is a statutory holiday–a day to honour and uphold residential school survivors and intergenerational survivors of the residential school system, and to commemorate those who didn’t return home. This day also presents an opportunity to reflect, learn, and commit to meaningful dialogue and action to address the systemic harms and racism Indigenous peoples continue to experience due to colonialism.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools. The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
In BC, public and private sector employers all recognize September 30 as a paid statutory day for remembrance. As individuals, we will be taking this day to reflect, learn, and commit to meaningful dialogue and action while wearing orange to honour residential school survivors.
how YOU CAN help
Our Reimagine Work team has also joined Victoria Native Friendship Centre’s Small Business Pledge. If you are a small business owner, join us! This is a perfect opportunity to lead by example and contribute to the reconciliation process.
If you have the day off, but aren’t sure what you can do as an individual, you’re not alone. In addition to attending events in your area, are a few ideas of tangible ways to support:
If you have the means, consider donating to one of these organisations:
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
Native Women’s Association of Canada
Indigenous Perspectives Society
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Bear Clan Patrol
Raven Trust
Indspire
If you are a landowner, consider making a contribution to Reciprocity Trusts or pledging your participation.
If cashflow is tight, consider what active allyship looks like:
You can learn how to develop a culturally safe practice by becoming a member of Culturally Committed. This organisation also provides mentorship to professional organisations, so consider sending along the Professional Membership info to your leadership team.
Share resources with friends, family and colleagues, inspire them to learn alongside you.
Start a book club with team members focused on the work of indigenous authors.
When you know better, you do better, and we have lots to learn on our end. With that in mind, we’d love to hear what you and your team are doing to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada.
Photo courtesy of Erik Mclean via Pexels.com.