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Indigenous » National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Orange Shirt Day​

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation: Orange Shirt Day​

orange rockSeptember 30th, traditionally recognized as Orange Shirt Day, has been legislated by the Government of Canada as National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, created to ensure that the history of the residential schools is not forgotten and the ongoing legacy in our communities is honoured. Similar to Orange Shirt Day, this is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind. It is also an opportunity for Canadians to create meaningful dialogue and participate in building bridges with each other for reconciliation. This may present itself as a day of quiet reflection and/or a day of learning and sharing. 
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Algoma District School Board will take time to honour this special day and all it stands for.  This year many schools will be doing Honour Walks with students and staff around their neighbourhoods and/or schools.  Many will begin their day with a Morning Land Acknowledgement and a moment of silence.  We are encouraging students and staff, especially those in Grade 5 to 12, to access virtual presentations being offered all week by the National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation.  
 
Our teachers and school Leaders are encouraged to invite local speakers into their schools and classrooms beyond Truth and Reconciliation Week and continue the work as a Board throughout the year as we engage in the ongoing learning and work towards our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
 
We invite our communities to join us by wearing orange on, or leading up to, September 30th, or by pausing for a moment to remember the solemnity of the day and as a way to remember the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind.  Only by working together, with Indigenous students, families, communities and partners, can we fully understand our history and our present, and build a positive future for everyone.
Kina go Binoojii’ag Gch nendaagoziwag
Every Child Matters
Chaque Enfant Compte
Local Elders Share Their Stories 
Shirley HornShirley is an Elder and Indian Residential School Survivor.  In 2015 she who was sworn in as Algoma University's first-ever Chancellor.  Shirley is from Chapleau, Ontario, and at the age of five was sent to St. John’s Indian Residential School. She was then transferred to the Shingwauk Indian Residential School at the age of seven, where she remained for six years. In 1981, she helped found the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association (CSAA), a Survivor organization that has been a leader at the national level on the residential school issue. She remained in a leadership position with the organization for 34 years.  Shirley has been recognized for her significant impact on  the community, Algoma U and truth and reconciliation efforts. 
Barbara NolanBarbara is a proud Nishnaabe-kwe, formerly from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, who now resides in Garden River First Nation.​
 
Barbara Nolan is an Elder and has been the Language Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation and has a long history of teaching the Anishnaabe language and has developed many different resources to help with the teaching and learning of Anishnaabemowin including the ‘Nishnaabemdaa’, an Anishinaabemowin language app available for iOS and Android devices. Barbara also teaches Anishinaabemowin immersion on a part-time basis at the Garden River Child Care Centre.