National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

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The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day is Monday, September 30th. This day, now designated as a statutory holiday in BC and for federally regulated workplaces, is a time for all Canadians to pause and reflect on the history and legacy of the residential school system.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as survivors, their families and communities.

Last year, Island Health staff came together in the ​Kwakwaka'wakw big house, Wawadit'ła (Mungo Martin House), on the traditional territory of the Songhees First Nation, to share in conversation and offer their thoughts about truth, reconciliation, allyship and what this day means to each of them.

Click here to see the entire conversation​ with the seven members of the panel (44 mins).

“I would like to express my gratitude and raise my hands up to the many staff who participated in this conversation, both in front of and behind the camera and recognize the courage and commitment it took to lean into this work.”

- Dawn Thomas, Vice President of Indigenous Health & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Truth and reconciliation is a com​​plex process and can mean many things for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Without truth, there is no reconciliation. Understanding this means we must reconcile the truth of the fact that for generations, colonization was intended to strip away Indigenous peoples’ cultures, dignity, language and fundamental rights.

However, while hundreds of years of devastating harm were inflicted in the name of colonization, Indigenous rights DO exist despite the efforts to eradicate them. They are now protected under the legislation and the safety of acts such as the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. As part of reconciliation in this country, Indigenous people are exercising their unique and inherent rights to land and title, family, culture, language and more, and will continue to do so as intended before colonization.

For generations, Indigenous people have been sharing the truth about the horrors endured by survivors and their families of the residential school systems. It has been eight years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission shed light across the country on the truth, four years since the release of the final report on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Reclaiming Power and Place, and almost three years now since the release of In Plain Sight​.

This year, on September 18th, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) apologized for its role and the role of the medical profession in past and ongoing harm to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in the healthcare system. This crucial step in the journey towards reconciliation can be viewed here.

There is opportunity for healing, greater understanding and relationship building when we are willing to sit with each other in empathy and discomfort and bravely hear each other's truths. We invite all non-Indigenous allies to carry out the following actions:

  • Walk alongside Indigenous colleagues and communities on this journey – this is everyone's shared history in this country.
  • Commit to action on your teams and as individuals.
  • Explore what active allyship means and share that burden.
  • Speak up, stand together, and create safe and welcoming spaces that uphold the rights and dignity of all Indigenous people who enter through the doors of any Island Health facility and beyond.

Just as the participants in this video shared, on this day and every day, we ask you as well to reflect on what truth means to you and what actions you might take to promote reconciliation and allyship in your role at Island Health. 

We invite you to join this conversation.

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The team at Port Hardy Hospital hold the orange pledge shirts created by students at Fort Rupert Elementary School

In addition, Island Health encourages anyone with planned activities at their sites in honour of this day to share their details in the comments.

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Virtual Events

Victoria Events

Duncan Event

  • Every Child Matter March – Sept 30th, 9:30 am
    Downtown Duncan, starting at Charles Hoey Park, 1 km walk. Guest Speaker, Performances, Food Trucks, and more.

Nanaimo Events

  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept 27th, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
    Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, in partnership with colleagues and friends from the Snuneymuxw First Nation - Cedar Tree Planting Ceremony – Main Entrance of NRGH
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept 30th, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    City of Nanaimo: Oliver Woods Community Centre, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo Ice Centre

Campbell River Event

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation​ - Sept 30th, 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Spirit Square, Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC V9W 2C8 
 

Alert Bay Event

  • Every Child Matters - Sept 26th, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
    U’mista Cultural Society, Walk to begin at the Council Hall and ends at the U’mista Cultural Centre

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Opportunities to Learn and Unlearn:

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Executive Summary

Volumes

Further TRC Reading

Memoirs

Film & Other Media

Resource Centres & Other Organizations

Additional Reading 

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Actions

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Counselling support for Indigenous employees of Island Health Island Health Indigenous-specific Counselling Supports            

Island Health General Counselling Supports

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society 250-723-4050

  • Provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.

Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419

  • The crisis line is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience.

Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310, OR CHAT ONLINE AT HOPEFORWELLNESS.CA

  • The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada in the following languages: Ojibway, Cree, Inuktut, English and French. They provide 24/7 culturally grounded assessment, referrals, counselling and support in times of crisis, including suicide intervention.​