TRC DAY
We've assembled a library of resources in the hope that non-Indigenous members will find it a useful tool, and dig into the content offered, not only this Thursday, but in the days, weeks, and years to come as we work to become better allies and accomplices in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty and climate justice.
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION?
A new federal statutory holiday building off of the legacy and momentum generated by Orange Shirt Day; a grassroots initiative inspired by the story told by former residential school student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad about her first day at residential school as a six year old when her new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, was stolen from her. Truth and Reconciliation Day was established in response to No. 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action:
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
From Gov’t of Canada:
September 30, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The creation of this federal statutory holiday was through legislative amendments made by Parliament. On June 3, 2021, Bill C-5, An Act to amend the Bills of Exchange Act, the Interpretation Act and the Canada Labour Code (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) received Royal Assent.
START HERE: THE BASICS
Read: Gov’t of Canada Explainer on TRC & Orange Shirt Day
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
Read: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - Residential School History: https://nctr.ca/education/teaching-resources/residential-school-history/
Read: The Canadian Encyclopedia - History of Residential Schools Timeline
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/residential-schools
Read: An Overview of the Indian Residential School System
Read: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
Watch: Senator Murray Sinclair on Reconciliation (for Public Servants, but still helpful for us!)
https://csps-efpc.gc.ca/video/ssontr-eng.aspx
Watch: Senator Murray Sinclair on Reconciliation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b78rf6J7x4c&ab_channel=fncaringsociety
Watch: Orange Shirt Society - Canadian Residential School History https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFbLMNgTXeI&ab_channel=OrangeShirtSociety
Watch: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - Doing the Work: What Settlers Need to Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOpGVXxeN2w&ab_channel=NationalCentreforTruthandReconciliation
READ
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf
Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - Calls for Justice
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls_for_Justice.pdf
NY Times Residential School Photo Essay
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/05/world/canada/Indigenous-residential-schools-photos.html
History of Orange Shirt Day: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html
Briarpatch: Decolonizing Together
https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/decolonizing-together
The Narwhal: TRC/UNDRIP
Teachings of the Medicine Wheel (Phase 1 - Basic Teachings)
https://onlc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Medicine-Wheel-Student-Manual1.pdf
Gov’t of Canada: Treaties and Agreements
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100028574/1529354437231
Indian Residential Schools Settlement Case
https://www.afn.ca/policy-sectors/indian-residential-schools/
APTN Video & Article: Survivor Testimony
WATCH
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) Multi-Day Live Stream: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/general-public-schedule/
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) 3 part webinar on Allyship and Reconciliation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAbXOPNigEw&ab_channel=NationalCentreforTruthandReconciliation
Spirit to Soar (about students who have died in Thunder Bay since 2000)
https://gem.cbc.ca/media/mashkawi-manidoo-bimaadiziwin-spirit-to-soar/s01e01
The Breach: Taking Children Taking Land
https://breachmedia.ca/taking-children-taking-land/
Global TV: Failing Canada’s First Nations Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhEh-D7IRQc&ab_channel=CrimeBeatTV
NCTR: Survivor Panel on Missing Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsZnaP5sWYs&ab_channel=NationalCentreforTruthandReconciliation
NCTR: Every Child Matters - Education Through Reconciliation
Canadian School of Public Servants: Elder Talk: Exploring Identity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZLoHCeXCtw&ab_channel=CanadaSchoolofPS%2F%C3%89coledelaFPduCanada
The Indian Act Explained
A Journey of Discovery, Truth and Reconciliation - Cecelia Reekie TEDX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-KcMefnqUs&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
LISTEN
Hot Take: There's No Climate Justice Without Indigenous Sovereignty, with Rebecca Nagle https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/theres-no-climate-justice-without-indigenous-sovereignty/id1488414960?i=1000490239886
All My Relations: Healing The Land IS Healing Ourselves https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/all-my-relations-podcast/id1454424563?i=1000475953710
Unreserved: Reconciliation Reality Check with Murray Sinclair https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/unreserved/id1030476712?i=1000536544407
Sandy and Nora: Residential School Reckoning https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/residential-school-reckoning/id1207134835?i=1000523819235
Interior Voices Podcast: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Orange Shirt Day
The Intercept: Stealing Children to Steal the Land https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/stealing-children-to-steal-the-land/id1195206601?i=1000525717683
Front Burner: Residential school survivors mourn after discovery of unmarked graves
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/front-burner/id1439621628?i=1000523757333
NYTimes The Daily: State Sponsored Abuse in Canada
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/podcasts/the-daily/canada-indigenous-residential-schools.html
CONTINUED LEARNING & FREE COURSES
Reconciliation - App for Govt of Cda Public Servants
https://csps-efpc.gc.ca/tools/apps/ils/index-eng.aspx
University of Alberta Indigenous Canada Course
https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html