The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, will be marked with a special ceremony on Sept. 26 at Na’tsa’maht on Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus.
Camosun College
Photograph from Orange Shirt Day, Camosun College, 2022
“The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is an important day to honour the survivors of the Indian residential school system, as well as those who never came home,” says Dr. Todd Ormiston, Executive Director, Eye? Sqa’lewen: The Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections. “We have had the privilege to hear the stories shared by survivors and witnessed them sharing their truth. It is important to honour survivors by taking action to transform educational spaces.”
“We have had the privilege to hear the stories shared by survivors and witnessed them sharing their truth. It is important to honour survivors by taking action to transform educational spaces.”
Dr. Todd Ormiston, Executive Director, Eye? Sqa’lewen: The Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections.
The theme of the ceremony this year at Camosun College is ‘Allies Alongside: From Reconciliation to ReconciliAction’. The day will begin with an educational round table workshop that is a collaboration between the English Department Indigenization Working Group and the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Participants will share insights and strategies for approaching allyship as educators and members of the college community.
The afternoon ceremony at Camosun College will begin with a welcome from Coast Salish Knowledge Keeper and artist Brianna Bear, followed by remarks from Elders Doug and Kathy LaFortune, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Kathy is a residential school survivor and Doug was part of the sixties scoop.
“This year, our question for ourselves and our communities is this: how can we support each other in becoming active allies in reconciliation?” says Julian Gunn, English instructor and member of the department’s Indigenization Working Group. “We’re honoured to be a part of putting together this year’s event.”
Na’tsa’maht: The Gathering Place, Lansdowne Campus
Students, employees, community members and media are invited to witness and participate in the ceremony remembering the residential school experience and looking forward to the transformative action we can take together.
1:00 p.m. – Gather at Na’tsa’maht, Lansdowne Campus.
1:30 p.m. – Welcome from Knowledge Keeper Brianna Bear followed by words from Elders Doug and Kathy LaFortune as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Contact information
Rodney Porter
Camosun College