While Truth and Reconciliation day comes once a year, we need to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation all year long.
On May 27, 2021, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc confirmed an unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School. With the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light – the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. They are known as Le Estcwicwéy̓ (The Missing). This was the first of many such discoveries across the country that led to this day of recognition.
Here’s three things you can do any day of the year to educate yourself and support:
1) Listen to Phyllis Webstad’s story: the origin of Orange Shirt Day
2) Review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and consider how you can advance these in your life
3) Refer back to your Indigenous community’s website to educate yourself on their past, and watch for any education sessions or events that may come up, and take part 🧡
