Langara College marks the 2nd National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Vancouver, BC – September 30 marks the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30. 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 highlight the importance of "Every Child Matters". The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College acknowledges its location on the unceded traditional territory of Musqueam First Nation and is working to strengthen the connections between the Musqueam and the College in a number of ways. The Langara College community is encouraged to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and commit to taking action.
The Centre for Intercultural Engagement, in partnership with Indigenous Education and Services and the Teaching and Curriculum Development Centre, have a number of on-campus events planned for the days leading up to September 30. The aim of these events is to help students, staff, and faculty learn more about this day, why and how it can be observed, as well as learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and what we can do, both individually and as an institute, to move forward with reconcili-ACTION.
Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wear orange through the days leading up to September 30 to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. Those who do not have one are invited to visit the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Engagement Centre September 26-29 to receive one (limited quantities available).