What Will You Do On National Day of Truth and Reconciliation?

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is tomorrow, September 30. I’m grateful that my Organization has given the day for us to observe this important day.

Here are three things I recommend that you can do to show your support on the significance of this day:

1.?Reflection -- listen to survivors' experiences. Phyllis Webstad's important Story of Orange Shirt Day is a?powerful movement around the truth about Residential Schools. Here is also a 5 minute video published by CBC earlier this year on the scars that Residential school survivors live with.

2.?Education -- One of the most impactful stories for me was about the story of Peter Bryce. He is an important figure because as Canada's first Chief Medical Officer, he was famous for whistleblowing on residential schools and the deplorable conditions that he found. This link has a 14 minute video on Bryce's story told from his great-grandson and geared at school age children. You can also view the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action to see the 94 Calls to Action.

3.?Action -- Wear your orange shirts. This is one way you can honour and remember the experiences and loss of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis children who were stolen from their families and placed in Residential Schools.

I hope you give yourself the time and space tomorrow to reflect. Our role as allies is an important one. Spreading education and awareness, as well as taking action is how we can stand alongside our Indigenous brothers and sisters to show our support.