September 30 was first acknowledged as (and still is) Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. To learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day, you can read Phyllis Webstad’s story about her experience going to residential schools and having her orange shirt taken away. Her journey to make Orange Shirt Day official and teach us that every child matters is very important: https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action included a call (#80) to establish a day to honour residential school survivors and their families and communities: “We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
This day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. Events and commemorations that acknowledge the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools are a part of the Truth and Reconciliation process. On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage you to participate in events in your community and to learn with an open mind and heart about the diverse cultures, voices, experiences, and stories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
What Main Street Project is doing on September 30:
On September 30, the Sacred Fire will be lit between 9 to 9:30 AM at Circle of Life Thunderbird House and will be there till 4:30 PM for folks to come by and offer tobacco ties to the fire. Ties will be available onsite. This is a good opportunity to reflect, share and be present.
Elder Delvina will be going around to all MSP areas and program locations to share teachings with participants. We will be distributing orange shirts to all community members who want them.
MSP teams will be transporting community members to events, such as the Wa-Say Healing Walk and Pow Wow.
Here is a list of events happening online and in Winnipeg:
September 23-27
Truth and Reconciliation Week – Taking Truth to Action (nctr.ca)
Friday, September 27
Truth and Reconciliation Lunch and Learn: How do we address the barriers to reconciliation?
UM Department of Indigenous Studies Teach-In for Reconciliation
MILSA National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Lunch and Learn
UM Indigenous Institute of Health & Healing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event
UMSU Orange Shirt Day Walk & Teach-In
Saturday, September 28
Reconciliation Run
Truth and Reconciliation Activities at the Saint-Boniface Museum *FREE ENTRY
Orange Shirt Days at the Manitoba Museum *FREE ENTRY
Sunday, September 29
The Colour Orange – An Indigenous Art Gallery in the Forest
Orange Shirt Days at the Manitoba Museum *FREE ENTRY
Monday, September 30
4th Annual Orange Shirt Day Healing Walk and Pow Wow
Every Child Matters Youth Gathering
Chāpān Games and Teachings at the Forks
WAG: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Event
“Treaty Right to Education, Residential Schools and Reconciliation” Discussion
Orange Shirt Days at the Manitoba Museum
Clan Mothers Healing Village Healing Event
