From the President’s Desk: Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day 2024 – Folio

September 26, 2024

The University of Alberta observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30. Both honour the thousands of children who never returned home from the residential school system, survivors, their families and communities. This day reminds us of the importance of truth and healing in our journey towards reconciliation.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action #80 of the 94 calls issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). It stands as a reminder of the suffering of the more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, estimated to have been taken from their parents, caregivers and communities and forced to attend residential schools, as well as the intergenerational impacts of the schools.

Orange Shirt Day also occurs on September 30, a powerful reminder of the commitment behind the words “Every Child Matters.” The day originated in 2013 when wearing orange became a symbol of the experience and suffering of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children forced to attend residential schools. The movement was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old girl whose shiny new orange shirt — a gift from her grandmother — was taken from her on her first day at a residential school on B.C.’s Dog Creek reserve.

Read More: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/the-quad/2024/09/from-the-presidents-desk-honouring-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-and-orange-shirt-day-2024.html