The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, established in 2021, commemorates the tragic legacy of Indian Residential Schools. This painful chapter of Canadian history continues to profoundly impact Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations.
September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, a day that honors Indian Residential School Survivors, including those who are living, those who have passed on, and those who never made it home. It also pays tribute to the families and intergenerational survivors affected by the Residential School System.
Originating in British Columbia in 2013, Orange Shirt Day has evolved into a nationwide symbol that acknowledges residential schools as a part of our history and highlights the assimilation of children forced into the Residential School System. Both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can wear orange to honor those impacted and to promote understanding and reconciliation.
Every September the Humber community takes part in a Walk for Reconciliation to raise awareness of the Indian Residential School System, and participants are asked to donate to one of the following organizations:
1. Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization providing essential services to residential school survivors/students, their families and loved ones, and Indigenous people experiencing intergenerational trauma. Recently, the IRSSS has supported survivors and intergenerational survivors with triggering and distressing situations, including the uncovering of unmarked graves at Indian Residential Schools across the country, by providing emotional and cultural support as needed.
The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) was established in October 1972, under the direction of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians upon the closure of the Mohawk Institute Residential School (MI). WCC’s focus began on collecting research and artifacts, to develop its library and museum collections, expanding to include the arts in 1975 and the language program in 1984.
Na-Me-Res is a community organization with proven practices in integrated culturally relevant social service delivery. Na-Me-Res compassionate and safe environment that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of its clients. It also provides them to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to lead healthy and self-determined lives.
Anduhyaun Inc.is a non-profit registered charity founded by five grandmothers in 1973 to respond to the needs of Toronto's Indigenous women. It first opened as a hostel, and now provides emergency shelter and second stage transitional housing to women and their children fleeing violence. They make culturally-inclusive, safe spaces available for those who come through our doors to focus on their healing and wellness journey.
5. Humber Indigenous Education & Engagement Micro-Bursary Fund
to donate to the Humber IE&E Micro-Bursary Fund head to the Advance and Alumni website and click the “One-time Gift” tab. Select the donation amount you wish to give. When selection a designation for the gift, please select “Other” and you will be allowed to type in “Indigenous” in the designation box. By donating to the IE&E Micro-Bursary you are alleviating financial stress for Indigenous learners at Humber who face emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs of students at any time of the year.
To read more about Orange Shirt Day, visit the following link: https://orangeshirtday.org/
