Algonquin College to Mark Inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Meaningful Ways in Person and Online

Posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2021

Please find links below links to resources for in-person and online ways to learn, reflect and commemorate on the first annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, Sept. 30. Listings, links and information may be added or updated throughout the week. Flags on Algonquin College’s campuses will fly at half-mast to pay tribute to the victims of Canadian residential schools, including survivors and the families of those who lost loved ones. September 30 also marks the annual Orange Shirt Day, which finds Canadians wearing orange and engaging in activities and events to recognize and raise awareness of the residential school system experience in Canada.

Algonquin College Virtual Activities and Resources

Podcast: Algonquin President and CEO Claude Brulé, Students’ Association President Emily Ferguson and Vice President Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization Ron (Degandus) McLester mark the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by sharing the everyday ways the College incorporates Truth and Reconciliation into its thinking and actions. Listen to the podcast here.

Children Treated to Outdoor Session of Indigenous Storytelling: A rapt audience of children from Algonquin College’s Early Learning Centre were recently treated to Indigenous storytelling as Ron (Deganadus) McLester, Vice President of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization, shared Indigenous nature tales. Truth and Reconciliation starts with all children and this enlightening session was captured on video. Watch it here.

Interview with Ry Moran, founding director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation: Pembroke Campus’ Jamie Bramburger, Manager, Community and Student Affairs speaks with Moran, who recently participated in the College’s ongoing speaker series. Watch the video interview here.

Sunrise Smudge on Facebook Live at 7 am: Visit the Mamidosewin Centre Facebook page for the sunrise smudge. All are welcome to tune in.

AC Ottawa Campus Activities

Memorial Fire (all day) – Ishkodewan Indigenous courtyard: Those on campus are invited to stop by the Memorial Fire at Ishkodewan, the College’s Indigenous courtyard located in the DARE District outside C Building. The fire-vessel in Ihkodewan, which means “there is fire,” will be burning all day. According to Ron McLester, Vice President of Truth Reconciliation and Indigenization, “the fire is both a physical, metaphorical and spiritual centre of many communities. We call upon this fire to warm our bodies, connect our minds and help to transport our prayers into the spirit world.”

Legacy of Hope Exhibit – open to all on campus (located in front of Nawapon, the Indigenous Learning Commons in C Building, until October 7, 2021): Algonquin College is pleased to welcome a national exhibit to its Ottawa campus to educate and inform its students. The Legacy of Hope Foundation’s display, Generations Lost: Healing the Legacy of Residential Schools is open to members of the College community on campus, who are invited to view the exhibit at their convenience.

Archeological field work in Nawapon (until October 1, 2021): Indigenous artifacts discovered in the past decade at various locations around the National Capital Region have been brought to the Algonquin College campus for analyzing, cleaning, and recording as part of a larger project involving the Pikwakanagan First Nation and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. The project is being assisted by staff from the National Capital Commission and Public Services and Procurement Canada. (Read more about the work)

Button Making Event with the Mamidosewin Centre
Students can drop into the Mamidosewin Centre to make a button in support of Orange Shirt Day.

Talking Circle for Indigenous Students
The talking circle is for indigenous students. If they wish to take part they can reach out to Jackie Tenute at tenutej@algonquincollege.com

AC Pembroke Campus Activities

Indigenous Outdoor Blanket Exercise
The Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance.

****To learn more, visit algonquincollege.com/tri for a list of news and ongoing Algonquin College Truth and Reconciliation initiatives.

Local and National Activities

Orange Shirt Day video
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. In 1973, on her first day at St. Joseph’s Residential School, Phyllis’s new orange shirt was taken from her. On September 30th, 2013, Phyllis spoke publicly about this incident for the first time and sparked the Orange Shirt Day movement. You can watch a video featuring her story here.

Remember Me: A National Day of Remembrance – A national gathering to remember Indigenous children & families affected by Residential Schools and all Indigenous child apprehension programs. For the safety of our Elders, we will practice social distancing, masks and vaccinations recommended.

PARLIAMENT HILL – Opening Ceremony
Heartbeats Through Our Living Drums (decolonizing a moment of silence)
September 30th • 10am – 12pm

SPIRIT WALK – Indigenous Women Led Walk To Confederation Park
Calling all to walk for the sacredness of childhood.
September 30th • 12pm

CONFEDERATION PARK – Ceremony • Music • Presentations
Round Dance • Art Installations
September 30th • 12pm – 5pm

Schedule for Truth and Reconciliation Week (General Public)
The following schedule is for members of the General Public who have registered for the Truth and Reconciliation Week event. The schedule is subject to change in the weeks leading up to September 27.

If you have registered as an Educator, please click here for the Educator schedule.

Truth and Reconciliation Week Schedule for the General Public

Click the following links to take you to the event schedule for a specific day.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund – DWF President and CEO, Sarah Midanik, will be hosting a discussion to explore this new day of reflection, the significance of September 30, what this means for reconciliation in Canada, and how we can participate meaningfully.  
https://downiewenjack.ca/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/

Wabano Centre – Today, we wear our orange shirts as every child matters. Bring your own orange shirt and Join us in decorating them to honour the children. Transportation will be provided. Due to the pandemic, registration is required to participate. No unannounced drop in available at this time.
Playgroup program hours are from 11:00am to 2:00pm, t-shirt decorating hours are 11am to 12pm.
https://wabano.com/event/orange-shirt-day/

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at Beechwood
The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation has partnered with the Project of Heart, the Assembly of 7 Generations, and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) to host a public Day of Reconciliation education and action to learn from residential schools and other forms of colonialism so we can all implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
https://beechwoodottawa.ca/en/foundation/events/national-day-truth-and-reconciliation-and-orange-shirt-day-beechwood

City of Ottawa Activities
To mark the day, Mayor Jim Watson will issue a proclamation to declare September 30th the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Additionally, at sunset on September 30th, the Heritage Building, the lights on Marion Dewar Plaza, and the OTTAWA sign in the ByWard Market will be illuminated orange to recognize and commemorate the legacy of the residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities.

Leading up to September 30th, the Gender & Race Equity, Indigenous Relations, Diversity and Inclusion branch will support learning opportunities for City staff, host a virtual circle with the First Nations, Inuit and Métis staff affinity group, and assist in the promotion of local or virtual learning events taking place this year.

All City of Ottawa Client Service Centres will be closed to the public, as well as the City’s administrative buildings. Like Remembrance Day observances, recreational facilities will remain open and registered programming will be continued, while the OC Transpo train and bus service may operate on a reduced schedule.

CBC Television and APTN
A prime-time special in honour of residential school survivors will air on APTN and CBC/Radio-Canada on the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

Producers say the one-hour, commercial-free “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” broadcast will feature the stories and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is producing the special, in collaboration with Insight Productions.

NCTR is asking First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples to share a “welcome” video in their native language to potentially be included in the broadcast or posted on the NCTR website

The special will also include musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities.

APTN will also have a full day of programming to honour the new statutory holiday, which is also known as Orange Shirt Day and is meant to reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.

A specially curated collection titled “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation” will also be available on APTN lumi, the streaming service of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.


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