In Canada, September 30th marks a day of profound significance — The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is dedicated to honouring the survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities, and serves as a solemn reminder of the enduring impact these institutions have had on Indigenous peoples in Canada. As corporate leaders, it is our responsibility not only to acknowledge this day but to actively participate in the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
Understanding Truth and Reconciliation
Truth and Reconciliation is a process rooted in the recognition and acknowledgment of the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples, particularly within the context of residential schools. From the late 1800s until the 1990s, more than 150,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools, where they were subjected to systemic neglect, abuse, and cultural assimilation.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), established in 2008, was tasked with uncovering the truth about what happened in residential schools and to guide the country in a process of healing and reconciliation. The Commission released its final report in 2015, which included 94 Calls to Action aimed at redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation.
Why Truth and Reconciliation Matters
Reconciliation is not just an Indigenous issue; it is a Canadian issue. It requires the commitment and involvement of all Canadians, including corporate leaders. The TRC’s Calls to Action provide a roadmap for addressing the harms of the past and creating a more equitable future. These Calls to Action are not mere recommendations; they are a call to each of us to reflect on how we can contribute to the healing process.
For businesses, this means recognizing the importance of Indigenous rights, fostering inclusive work environments, and engaging in meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. It also means educating employees about the history and impact of residential schools and taking concrete steps to support reconciliation initiatives.
Why Orange Shirts?
The orange shirt has become a powerful symbol of the residential school experience and the broader movement for Truth and Reconciliation. It originated from the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor who, at the age of six, had her new orange shirt taken away from her on her first day at a residential school. The shirt, which was meant to be a special gift from her grandmother, was never returned, and this experience became a symbol of the loss of culture, identity, and dignity that many Indigenous children suffered.
Wearing an orange shirt on September 30th has become a way for Canadians to show their support for survivors and their commitment to the ongoing process of reconciliation. It is a simple yet profound gesture that signifies the collective commitment to ensuring that every child matters.
"Survivors Speak" - Excerpts from the TRC Report on Life Before Residential Schools
“When I think back to my childhood, it brings back memories, really nice memories of how life was as Anishinaabe, as you know, how we, how we lived before, before we were sent to school. And the things that I remember, the legends at night that my dad used to tell us, stories, and how he used to show us how to trap and funny things that happened. You know there’s a lot of things that are really, that are still in my thoughts of how we were loved by our parents. They really cared for us. And it was such a good life, you know. It, it’s doing the things, like, it was free, we were free I guess is the word I’m looking for, is a real free environment of us. I’m not saying that we didn’t get disciplined if we got, if we did something wrong, we, you know. There was that, but not, but it was a friendly, friendly, like a loving discipline, if you will.” - Bob Baxter, Statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Thunder Bay, Ontario, 24 November 2010.
“I’m come from a long way, I came a long way. I’m from Great Lake Mistissini. That’s where I was born in the bush. It was a pride for me to say that because I was born in the bush in a tent. It’s something that remains in my heart going to the woods, living in the woods. It’s in my heart. Before going to the boarding school, my parents often told me what they were doing in the woods when I was born. What they were doing, we were in camp with other families. The stories my father told us, my mother, too.” - Louise Bossum, Statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, La Tuque, Québec, 6 March 2013.
“Yeah, when I first opened, like, when I first saw the world, I guess, we were outdoors and when I opened my eyes and started to, you know, and I was just a baby, I guess, and I, we were out in the land. The land was all around me, the snow, the sky, the sun, and I had my parents. And we had a dog team. We were travelling, I think it was on Banks Island, and I was amazed at what I saw, just the environment, the peace, the strength, the love, the smile on my dad’s face. And when I wake up he’s singing a short song to me of love.” – Albert Elias
“When I was a little girl, ’cause we live in igloo and we live in nomadic life and there was no white people and we move around from camp to camp, depending on the season. And we live with nature and our family and everybody looks after each other. And it was very, very simple, living, just survival in the way, looking for food and moving around.” – Eva Lapage
“So, that’s how I, that’s how I grew up, you know, and knowing all that stuff where listening to the familiar sounds of my dad’s snowshoes in the winter when he came to, when he came back from trapping late in the afternoon, towards, when it’s already dark, and waiting for him to come home and tell us the legends, because no TV back then.
So, it was great. My mom was great, too. She really looked after us, made sure that we were clothed and fed. That at was good times. I remember eating wild game all the time. And ’cause we had our grandparents that really looked after us, too, that I have good memories of, until, ’til that day that we were taken from there, taken away to school.” – Bob Baxter
“And we would, my parents would take us out blueberry picking, and my grandparents would always take us blueberry picking, or we’d go in the canoe, and we’d go, you know, or my grandmother would always be gathering traditional medicines. She had picked the wild ginger, and I would go with her, and we’d go pick all the medicines that we needed.
And I also remember my mom picking up this medicine. It would, like, if we had any cut, or open wound, she would use this, like a ball, like, sort of a fungus ball, and she would open it, and she would put it on our wounds and whatever, and would heal, you know, real fast. And, and she knew all her traditional medicines.
And at the time, I remember my, my grandpa and my dad, they used to have a drum, and they would, you know, drum and they would sing, during certain time of the year.” - Lynda Pahpasay McDonald
The Role of Corporate Canada in Truth and Reconciliation
Corporate Canada has a unique and powerful role to play in the process of Truth and Reconciliation. By embedding the principles of reconciliation into corporate values and practices, businesses can contribute to a more just and inclusive society.
Here are some ways your organization can support Truth and Reconciliation:
Education and Awareness:
Encourage employees to take courses like Indigenous Canada, offered by the University of Alberta, to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous history, perspectives, and contributions. This free, online course covers critical issues such as the fur trade, treaties, residential schools, and Indigenous legal and political challenges.
Host workshops and discussions in partnership with Elevate Talent Solutions on the history of residential schools and the significance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Support Indigenous Businesses:
Engage with and support Indigenous-owned businesses as part of your supply chain. This not only contributes to economic reconciliation but also builds stronger relationships with Indigenous communities.
Engage in Community Partnerships:
Partner with Indigenous organizations to support local initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities. This could include providing sponsorship for cultural events, offering scholarships, or supporting housing and health initiatives.
Implement the TRC’s Calls to Action:
Review the TRC’s Calls to Action and identify areas where your organization can contribute. This might involve promoting Indigenous languages, supporting reconciliation education, or ensuring the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in decision-making processes.
Wear Orange and Donate:
Encourage employees to wear orange shirts on September 30th as a visible show of support for Truth and Reconciliation. Consider selling or distributing orange shirts within your organization and donating a portion of the proceeds to Indigenous charities.
Resources for Further Learning and Action
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action - TRC Calls to Action
Indigenous Canada U of A Open Learning Course - Indigenous Canada
Government of Canada: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Wahkohtowin (Cree: 'we are all related')
Lina's Art and Mike Holden Art: Supporting Truth and Reconciliation
As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Lina's Art and Mike Holden Art (Saulteaux Cree Visual Artist) partnered to create two unique "Every Child Matters" t-shirt designs. These shirts are available for purchase, with a portion of the profits donated to local Indigenous charities such as the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS), the Elizabeth Fry Societies (AB & BC), the Edmonton Native Healing Center, YEG Water Warriors, and the Bear Claw Clan.
We welcome corporate sponsorships and partnerships, offering the opportunity to feature your company’s logo alongside this important initiative. Join us in making a tangible impact in support of Truth and Reconciliation.
For more information on corporate partnerships or to purchase t-shirts, please message us or view the designs on Lina's Art Store.
A Survivor is not just someone who “made it through” the schools, or “got by” or was “making do.” A Survivor is a person who persevered against and overcame adversity.
In “Invictus” (the title means “invincible” or “undefeated” in Latin), the English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) wrote these words:
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
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