September 30 2024: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

As we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on the 30th of September, it is critical to continue the journey of healing and accountability by reflecting on the injustices faced by Indigenous communities across Canada and looking at the 94 Calls to Action. Through partnerships, educational resources, and community events, Georgia Strait Alliance strives to amplify Indigenous voices and foster a deeper understanding of the violence and struggles Indigenous communities and Nations face and have faced since the onset of colonialism, as well as their power, resistance, and resilience. We recognize that true reconciliation requires addressing the ongoing impacts of colonialism and taking lead from Indigenous peoples in decisions that affect their lands and waters, cultures and laws, protocols and languages. We invite our community to join us in initiatives that promote Indigenous rights, stewardship of lands and waters, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Together, let’s reflect on the past and present and commit to a more equitable and just future rooted in respect, reciprocity and accountability.

Here are some organizations, resources, and events that are doing terrific work:

ORGANIZATIONS

RAVEN – an organization dedicated to raising legal defence funds for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to defend rights and the integrity of lands and cultures.

Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership – an Indigenous-led network that brings together a diverse range of partners to advance Indigenous-led conservation, including Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and to transform the conservation sector in Canada. The CRP is a collective of Indigenous leadership, environmental conservation organizations, academic institutions, scholars and researchers, and communities acting on and building from the recommendations set out by the Indigenous Circle of Expert’s report We Rise Together.

Indigenous Leadership Initiative – The Indigenous Leadership Initiative is dedicated to facilitating the strengthening of Indigenous Nationhood for the fulfilment of the Indigenous cultural responsibility to our lands, the emergence of new generations of Indigenous leaders, and helping communities develop the skills and capacity that they will need as they continue to become fully respected and equally treated partners in Canada’s system of governance and its economic and social growth.

EVENTS

We Were Children – Film Screening This impactful film portrays the long-lasting effects of the residential school system through the eyes of children, with parental discretion advised. Location: Trout Lake Community Centre – Outdoors Gravel Field, 3360 Victoria Drive, Vancouver Date/Time: September 30, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

South Island Powwow – An annual celebration of Indigenous culture and resiliency, offering a powerful opportunity to support reconciliation efforts. Plus, a lot of fun! Location: Royal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave, Victoria Date/Time: September 30, 2024, Gates open at 10:00 AM, Grand Entry at 12:00 PM

Semiahmoo First Nation’s 4th Annual Walk – Join the community in this annual walk to reflect on the importance of reconciliation, with family-friendly activities, live performances, and an Indigenous artisan market. Location: Semiahmoo Park, 15393 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC Date/Time: September 30, 2024, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Walk for Reconciliation by Spirit Children – Join a community-led walk that honours the experiences of Indigenous Peoples and their journey toward reconciliation. Location: South Field near Queen’s Park Stadium, New Westminster Date/Time: September 30, 2024, 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Wilfred Buck Film Screening – Lisa Jackson’s portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations. Location: Richmond Cultural Centre Performance Hall Date/Time: September 26, 2024, 06:15 PM – 8:30 PM

SNIWWOC Presents A Celebration Of Indigenous Textile Arts – This gathering highlights Indigenous practices, featuring Ribbon Skirt making and stories from residential school survivors. Location: KWENCH, 2031 Store Street, Victoria Date/Time: September 30, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Books to read:

  • “A Mind Spread Out on the Ground” by Alicia Elliott — A profound reflection on Indigenous identity and historical trauma, emphasizing storytelling as a tool for healing​
  • “My Conversations with Canadians” by Lee Maracle — This stunning collection of essays, or 10 “conversations”, tackles a multitude of current and historic issues ranging from basic terminology to the effects of colonialism, racism, feminism, paternalism, and the overall “innocence” assumed by Canadians (as reinforced by Western education).
  • “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer — An instant classic that weaves a tale of Indigenous wisdom and scientific exploration, asking profound questions about our relationship to the earth around us, reconciliation and Indigenous justice, and how we relate to life itself.

This day, while important, serves as a reminder that this work needs to take place every day, and does not stop. Learning and unlearning the intricacies of colonialism in all of its tentacular manifestations requires dedication, and a true commitment to justice. Let this be another step along the way.

Additional resources

If you are seeking concrete actions to take, the educational resources below may be helpful:

Support services

Recognizing the intense emotion and harm that today can bring forth, below is a list of support services for those people impacted by residential schools and their legacy:

Background: September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The creation of September 30 as a federal statutory day fulfills call to action #80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) “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.”

This day comes after years of work by Indigenous Peoples to commemorate Orange Shirt Day on September 30, as a result of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School (1891-1981) Commemoration Project and Reunion, which took place in Williams Lake, B.C. in 2013. This project originated with the wishes of Esketemc (Alkali Lake) Chief Fred Robbins, a survivor, to bring together former students and their families from the Secwepemc, Tsilhqot’in, Southern Dakelh and St’at’imc Nations.

The uncovering of unmarked graves at the nearby Kamloops Indian Residential School (located on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory) and other locations across the country, including ongoing investigations on Vancouver Island (at the Nanaimo “Indian Hospital”, located in Snuneymuxw First Nation territory), in Alert Bay (at the St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, located on ‘Namgis First Nation territory), and in North Vancouver (at the St. Paul’s Indian Residential School, located on Squamish Nation territory), makes it painfully clear today that these efforts should have been listened to and supported many years ago.

Not all of Canada stands united in marking this day. First designated federally in 2021, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has only been designated this year by the B.C. government. This reveals how challenging it has been for Indigenous Peoples to achieve a day unanimously supported to mark the harsh reality they have had to endure in this country, and how complex it is to establish September 30 as a ‘holiday’ despite it being a recommendation since 2015 in the TRC.

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation, for example, has stated; “For the first time, Canadians will take this day to commemorate the legacy of residential schools” and “we will check on our survivors and their family members, listen to and share our truths, and continue to bring awareness to our struggles and our strengths, as we move forward in healing.”