Truth and Reconciliation
What is Truth and Reconciliation? What does it mean in when living in Skwxwu7mesh?
Orange Shirt Day: Why orange?
Orange shirts are worn to honour children who where taken to residential school. The orange comes from Phyllis Webstad's story. Phyllis came from a poor family yet the first year she went off to residential school her grandmother found enough money to buy her a shiny orange shirt with lace down the front. Phyllis said it was "so bright and exciting—just like I felt to be going to school". The shirt along with the rest of her clothing was seized upon arriving at school and Phyllis never saw it again. Orange is worn to honour children taken from their homes.
Background
In 2021, 215 unmarked graves where discovered in Kamloops at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This led to a nation wide movement to search other historical school sites for similar unmarked graveyards, leading to thousands more graves being found. In June 2021, the Federal Government of Canada finally recognized Orange Shirt Day as a national holiday and created the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Resources
There is no shortage of resources about residential schools. Resources range from art, to children's books, to music, to films, to academic papers. A good place to start is to read the 94 calls to action as outlined by the Truth & Reconciliation Commission. Check out some resources below.
Orange Shirt Day
On September 30th every year people gather across Canada for Orange Shirt Day. This day honours the survivors of the residential school system and the children who never made it hope. It is a day to celebrate the resilience and resurgence of Indigenous people by honouring their teaching.
How to help
There are many ways to work toward reconciliation. It is important to learn about the history and the ongoing legacies of oppression in Canada. There are also many organizations doing important work for survivors and Indigenous people who could benefit from financial contributions.
Truth and Reconciliation Day 2022
Join us this year for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation .
Check out photos from last year!
Share the day
Share your photos from the day to on social media to increase the reach of the day. Use the featured hashtags. We would love to see your photos! Send your best ones to our email address as well.
Thank you to our supporters:
Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association
Squamish Public Library
Squamish Nation Peacekeepers
Squamish Arts
District of Squamish
Kerry Neil (Downtown Squamish)
Andy Dawson (District of Squamish)
Sarah Morris (District of Squamish)
Rosella Bianco (District of Squamish)
Sarah Dicker (District of Squamish)