Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and the Residential School Survivors, their families and their respected communities.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters” incorporating “Reconciliation” and forging a pathway forward.
EVERY CHILD REALLY DOES MATTER! A limited number of T-Shirts will be sold onsite on a first come first served basis.
WITNESS RECONCILIATION IN ACTION
We respectfully invite anyone who would like to bare witness to Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band) Flag Raising Ceremony at the Fernie City Hall. This event commemorates Fernie’s willingness to work with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it to build meaningful relationships that are based on trust.
You will hear what “Reconciliation” means from:
Mayor Ange Qualizza, Fernie
Nasuʔkin (Chief) Heidi Gravelle, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it
For more information on Indigenous Issues please visit the following:
• UBC: Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre: https://irshdc.ubc.ca/learn/indian-residential-schools/#:~:text=In%20BC%20there%20were%2018,open%20in%201867%20was%20St.
• Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/indigenous-people/aboriginal-peoples-documents/calls_to_action_english2.pdf
• Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples/BC’s Declaration Act Action Plan: https://declaration.gov.bc.ca/
• National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
• Consolidation of Indian Legislation: Indian Act & Amendments 1868-1975: R5-158-2-1978-eng.pdf (publications.gc.ca)
If you would like more information on this event please reach out to Lisa McCoy at lisa.mccoy@tobaccoplains.org
This event is held on the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa/Ksanka Peoples, specifically Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it (Tobacco Plains Indian Band).
