National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we take time to remember, commemorate and reflect on a sad chapter in our history. We need to continue to listen, learn and understand the stories and experiences of Indigenous communities. We invite all citizens of the City of Westmount to wear an orange garment or accessory today to raise awareness on the tragic legacy of residential schools and to honour the thousands of survivors and their families. This is an essential part of the reconciliation process.

“We have to recognize and navigate the darkness before we can see the light.” – Shayla Stonechild @shaylaoh

Visit downiewenjack.ca, orangeshirtday.org and canada.ca to learn more.

WEAR ORANGE

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are both on September 30.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.