A series of events and a sea of orange shirts will mark Brock\u2019s observation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.<\/p>\n
Also known as Orange Shirt Day by many Indigenous communities, the time of reflection will be formally observed across the country on Saturday, Sept. 30, and is meant to honour and remember the more than 150,000 Indigenous children forced to attend residential schools in Canada.<\/p>\n
The day<\/a> has its origins in 1973, when Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was stripped of a new orange shirt purchased by her grandmother on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission residential school in Williams Lake, B.C., leaving her feeling as though she didn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n To show support and also allow students, staff and faculty to attend gatherings in their own communities, Brock\u2019s Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit Student Centre will host evening events Thursday, Sept 28 and Saturday, Sept. 30 as well as a full day of activities on Friday, Sept. 29.<\/p>\n During that time, all members of the Brock community are encouraged to wear their orange shirts and to attend events, where they will\u00a0learn about and reflect on the legacy and ongoing impact of Canada\u2019s residential school system.<\/p>\n Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs Event Co-ordinator Willow Shawanoo-Kechego said the day is of great significance and signals a change in the way history is being taught and remembered.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an intergenerational survivor, our history was not taught when I was growing up, and it was also regularly discredited by those with a duty to teach,\u201d she said. \u201cSeeing people now wearing orange, acknowledging the day and wanting to learn about the true history of Turtle Island is something that gives me hope for our next seven generations.\u201d<\/p>\n The events will kick off on Sept. 28 when Hadiya\u02c0dag\u00e9nhahs partners with the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre to host a ticketed film screening of The Nature of Healing<\/em><\/a>, which is the spoken truth of seven people who survived the Mohawk Institute, Canada\u2019s first and longest-running residential school.<\/p>\n On Sept. 29, observations will begin at sunrise when a ceremonial fire is lit at 6:45 a.m. at the fire pit next to Alphie\u2019s Trough. A Survivors\u2019 Flag-raising ceremony will follow at 8 a.m. at the flag poles in front of the Schmon Tower prior to a day\u2019s worth of reflective exercises from author Dawn Cheryl Hill and advocate\/artist Vanessa Brousseau. All activities are free and will also include a lunch that features drumming, hand drumming and a book sale; the heart garden display in front of Schmon Tower; and drop-ins at the fire pit all day before a closing ceremony at 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n On Sept. 30, the Brock community is also welcomed by Hadiya\u02c0dag\u00e9nhahs and Brock Sports to attend at no cost the University\u2019s men\u2019s lacrosse game against Laurentian at 7 p.m. on Alumni Field, which will feature dancers, water drumming and a participatory standing quiver that will include all in attendance.<\/p>\n Orange shirts are encouraged at all events and can be purchased from a variety of Indigenous creators, including shirts designed by Hadiya\u02c0dag\u00e9nhahs staff at the Campus Store, where all proceeds will go to the\u00a0Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford<\/a>. Next week, the Campus Store and \u00a0Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs will be launching a T-shirt design contest centred around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action.\u00a0Details will be available on the Campus Store Instagram account<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs Director Cindy Biancaniello said next week\u2019s events are an opportunity for everyone to demonstrate their recognition of what happened in residential schools and the ripple effect it has on families.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a time when you can show your support of First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit by listening and learning about the truth,\u201d she said. \u201cShow up, learn, ask questions and participate.\u201d<\/p>\n Biancaniello said it is critical to understand the meaning behind the orange shirt.<\/p>\n \u201cWearing an orange shirt and attending events are some of the many ways to commit to reconciliation,\u00a0but knowing why you are wearing it and sharing the truth behind it is a testament to your commitment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n