The University of Alberta observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30. Both honour the thousands of children who never returned home from the residential school system, survivors, their families and communities. This day reminds us of the importance of truth and healing in our journey towards reconciliation.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action #80 of the 94 calls issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). It stands as a reminder of the suffering of the more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, estimated to have been taken from their parents, caregivers and communities and forced to attend residential schools, as well as the intergenerational impacts of the schools.
Orange Shirt Day also occurs on September 30, a powerful reminder of the commitment behind the words “Every Child Matters.” The day originated in 2013 when wearing orange became a symbol of the experience and suffering of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children forced to attend residential schools. The movement was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old girl whose shiny new orange shirt — a gift from her grandmother — was taken from her on her first day at a residential school on B.C.’s Dog Creek reserve.
Numerous events on North Campus, Augustana, and Campus Saint-Jean invite us to deepen our understanding, listen to stories, learn, and recognize the resilience of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. I encourage those on North Campus to visit the memorial being put on by the Indigenous Students’ Union and the University of Alberta Students’ Union, including Indigenous Elders speaking and sharing stories, dancers and drummers at the Sweetgrass Bear from noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow. The Indigenous Students’ Union will also help people make felt hearts at this meaningful event with activities chosen to help foster healing from the past and build the future. Additionally, an exhibit on the legacy of residential schools, which features painted panels with original artwork, will be on display at the U of A Bookstore until October 3, and there will be other events.
If you’re on Augustana Campus, I encourage you to visit the Residential School Memorial. This powerful space invites everyone to reflect on our shared history. The memorial features orange shirts, placards and orange flags, each flag displaying the names of residential schools and the years they were operational.
The University of Alberta is deeply committed to reconciliation and Indigenous initiatives. You will find the vision and Indigenous-led direction of Braiding, Past, Present and Future is woven throughout core university strategic plans, including Shape: A Strategic Plan of Impact; Forward with Purpose: A Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation; Igniting Purpose: Student Experience Action Plan; A Culture of Care: Safety Action Plan; Strategic Plan for EDI; and, the upcoming People Strategy. A new web page shows the connections between and alignment of Indigenization with our strategies, and I encourage you to visit it to learn more.
I also encourage you to visit the TRC Report to Community Dashboard for updates on the U of A’s progress on the Calls to Action issued by the TRC.
This year, I am pleased to share that we are welcoming over 2,100 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students — who are registered in diverse programs — to the University of Alberta. The commitment to student success includes providing First Nations, Métis and Inuit students with access to support and safe spaces that in-power them to thrive and succeed. One of those spaces is in First Peoples’ House. A fundraising campaign is underway to create a newer and larger First Peoples’ House to increase capacity and expand programming, staffing, and resources.
In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the University of Alberta will close for regular operations and will not hold classes on September 30. Going forward, when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation occurs on a weekday, classes will always be cancelled, and operations will be closed to mark the day's significance. When September 30 falls on a weekend, there will not be a day off in lieu.
As we are not on campus on Monday, I encourage you to also wear orange on October 1, signalling that we work together on the path of healing, respect and reconciliation — a commitment we need to live and honour every day.
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-Chancellor