Many ways to work toward reconciliation

Opinion

Tomorrow, Sept. 30, is a day meant to recognize and honour the survivors of the residential school systems in Canada. We recognize this day as National Truth and Reconciliation Day or Orange Shirt Day.

Originally Sept. 30 was just called Orange Shirt Day. In May of 2014, the Indigenous communities in Williams Lake, British Columbia, gathered residential school survivors together to share the hurt and trauma caused by this school system. Among the survivors was Phyllis Webstad, who was six years old when she was taken from her home and placed into the residential school system. Before Phyllis had to leave for the school, her grandmother, who was also a residential school survivor, took her to a shop and bought her an orange shirt that she could wear on the first day of school. Phyllis shared in her speech that when she arrived at the school, they stripped all the children of their clothes. This included her beautiful orange shirt that her grandma gifted her. Phyllis was terrified and never saw her beloved shirt again. Phyllis also shared that the colour orange forever reminds her of how little people cared about her feelings and how worthless she felt attending a residential school.

After hearing Phyllis’s story, the idea of today’s Orange Shirt Day was born. The orange shirt is used as a symbol for remembrance, teaching and healing following the terrible events of residential schools. By wearing an orange shirt, you are acknowledging the hurt and trauma Indigenous groups faced while attending residential schools. In September of 2020 teachers and school boards started to spread awareness and knowledge of Orange Shirt Day and residential schools in the classroom.

Residential schools are a dark part of Canada’s past and ran from the 1830s to 1990s, with the last residential school closing in 1996. The system stripped many Indigenous students of their culture, identity and family. Brandon was home to a residential school that operated from 1895 to 1972. The school was located on the bank of the Assiniboine River, near the north hill and was run by both a missionary Methodist church and a United Church.

The Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council has organized a walk to remember the ones who have lost culture, loved ones and identity due to residential schools. The walk is scheduled to start at noon at the Fusion Credit Union Stage located at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. The walk will lead to the grounds of the Brandon Residential School and take you back to the Fusion Credit Stage. There is also a free lunch offered at 3 p.m. near the In a Good Way of Brandon Friendship Centre. After lunch, the evening at the Riverbank Discovery Centre is filled with Indigenous traditions, culture and performances. For any more information on this and any other events happening this Truth and Reconciliation Week, the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council Facebook page has loads of information!

If you are looking for ways to go further with reconciliation, there are many options. For example, David A. Robertson wrote a book about 52 ways you can practise reconciliation. The book is titled “52 Ways to Reconcile.” It is available online or in-person through bookstores. This book encourages you to practise reconciliation all year round. There are 52 small and manageable challenges to try.

Reconciliation is an important step in the right direction of rebuilding a valuable relationship with Indigenous people of Canada. Whether you wear an orange shirt, participate in activities for Truth and Reconciliation Week or just try to get a better education on the history of Canada and its treatment of Indigenous people, they are all right steps towards reconciliation. I strongly encourage you to be intentional with your choices this Truth and Reconciliation Week.

» Abby Wronowski is a Grade 11 student at École secondaire Neelin High School.