Honouring Lost Indigenous Children, Uplifting Survivors, and Remembering Canada’s Residential Schools

On Tuesday, September 30th, TNDC honours National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

This day recognizes the harm inflicted on Canada’s Indigenous people from the horrific legacy of the residential school system, remembering the Indigenous children who were forced to attend Canada’s residential schools and the ongoing, intergenerational impact on their families and communities.

TNDC and the federal government commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. As an Indigenous business, owned by the Tahltan Nation, this day holds even greater sentiment. To further recognize this solemn day, we are empowering the TNDC team in understanding Indigenous history and the legacy of Canada’s residential school system.

On September 30th, we encourage you to participate in a moment of silence and to wear symbolic orange shirts in remembrance of the lost children and survivors. If you are not working, please also consider attending a local event; search for Orange Shirt Day events in your area.

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH & RECONCILITATION

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) was established by the Canadian government in 2021 to honour the children who never returned home from residential schools and the survivors, as well as their families and communities still affected by the legacy of the residential school system. Public commemoration of this tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Establishment of a federal statutory day of commemoration was Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. NDTR builds on the grassroots momentum of Orange Shirt Day.
Learn more: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL HISTORY

Residential schools were created and funded by the Canadian government and operated by churches. The goal was to assimilate Indigenous children into society and eliminate their Indigenous knowledge and identity. First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and put into schools where they were forced to abandon their traditions, cultural practices and languages. They faced horrendous physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse at the hands of residential school staff. These schools operated for more than 160 years (1883 to 1996) in all Canadian provinces and territories except Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. It is estimated more than 150,000 Indigenous children between the ages of 4 and 16 attended residential schools.
Learn more: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

HEALING AND RECONCILIATION

As an Indigenous business, owned by the Tahltan Nation, this day holds enriched meaning. The TNDC team stands in solidarity with the many Tahltans and other Indigenous people across Canada who attended these institutions, as well as their families who continue to suffer from this tragic legacy. We offer profound wishes for healing, reconciliation, and a brighter future for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

ORANGE SHIRT DAY

Orange Shirt Day originates from the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, Phyllis’s shiny new orange shirt was stripped from her, never to be seen again. Forty years later, on September 30, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly for the first time about her experience, beginning the Orange Shirt Day movement (and Every Child Matters message). On September 30th each year, people across Canada wear orange and participate in Orange Shirt Day events to recognize and raise awareness about the history and legacy of the residential school system in Canada.
Learn more: Orange Shirt Day

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

This discussion may be difficult for some of you. Help is available through TNDC’s Employee Assistance Program (24-hour counselling) if you need to talk to someone:
1-800-361-6212.

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