Monday, September 30, 2024, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, acknowledging the lasting, intergenerational impact of residential schools, while honouring the process of reconciliation. It is intended as a day for education and reflection.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has grown from Orange Shirt Day - a grass-roots movement and a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration event held in Williams Lake, BC, in the spring of 2013. It was sparked by the account of a young girl, Phyllis, having her new orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at the Mission. On September 30, we wear orange to remember the experiences of the children taken to residential schools.
For more than 50 years, Trent has been a leader in Indigenous education and incorporating Indigenous teachings and perspectives into curricular and extra-curricular programming. We are committed to providing education in Indigenous history, traditions, cultures, and Indigenous knowledges (IK) for our students and broader community. To advance the goals of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation Day, we have pulled together a variety of resources to assist members of the Trent community to learn, reflect, and take action to advance reconciliation.
Events on Campus
There are a number of events leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Trent University will formally observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, 2024.
Durham
Events leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observances
- TDSA Orange T-Shirts
- Durham Library Display Case
- The First Peoples House of Learning team and the Library and Learning Centre have created an educational display.
Monday, September 30, 2024 program
- Community Reflection 11:30 a.m., Building A Atrium
- Medicine Garden Rock Painting 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., outside the Tipi behind Building A
- Paint your own rock to contribute to the new medicine garden on campus.
Peterborough
Events leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observances
- TCSA Orange T-Shirts
- Every Child Matters Window Signs
- Bata Library Display Case
- Bata Library and Archives has curated an educational display.
- Beading Workshop with Ashley Thompson, Sept 24, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., Makers Space (OCA 126)
- Space is limited to 20 participants, arrive early to secure your spot.
- Birch Bark Canoe Build and Educational Display, Sept 27 - October 25, Bata Library
Monday, September 30, 2024 program
- Sunrise Ceremony 6:30 a.m., Mnidoowag A'Kiing Traditional Area
- Heart Garden Reflection 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Kerr House, Traill College
- LEC Community Conversations: Walk & Chalk 10:00 a.m. - noon, Lady Eaton Bridge
- Closed Fire 10:00 a.m. - noon, School of Education Tipi in Otonabee College Quad
- Open to Teacher Candidates of the Trent community only.
- Gzowski College Three Sisters Community Lunch noon, Gzowski College Quad, while supplies last
- Trent University Native Association Bake Sale: Honouring the Children Who Didn't Make It Home noon - 5:00 p.m., Gathering Space
- All proceeds from the bake sale will be donated to The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund.
- Community Sacred Fire noon – 4:00 p.m., Champlain College Fire Pit
- Campus Reflection & Moment of Silence 2:00 p.m., Champlain College Fire Pit
To support the Trent community in actively participating in the events, the University has created video tutorials for smudging and participating in a sacred fire.
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the flags at both campuses will be lowered to half-mast position on September 30.
Trent Statement of Solidarity
Canada has designated September 30 as a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for everyone to reflect on the history between First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and settler Canadians and to further our understanding of the injustices of the last centuries. We are asked to make space for and understand the truth of Indigenous Peoples experiences. We are asked to contemplate our own individual role in changing Canada and our communities into places of dignity and respect for Indigenous Peoples.
On this day, as an educational institution, we acknowledge the legacy of residential and day schools and the devastating impact they have had on Indigenous Peoples, their cultures, communities and families. We acknowledge and honour those who survived and who have worked hard to ensure that these actions never happen again. We mourn those who lost their lives in these places.
We use this day to recommit ourselves to a different future, to educating new generations of young people as future leaders of reconciliation. We use this day to recommit ourselves to assisting in the resurgence of Indigenous cultures, languages, traditions, knowledge and thought. We commit ourselves to building the world Chanie Wenjack was running towards.
Resources to learn and reflect
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports – both the Calls to Action and the testimony of residential school survivors.
-
Review the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Archives and Collections.
-
Read about residential schools and their profound intergenerational impact, both before 1939 and to 2000.
-
Learn about the lands on which Trent is situated by viewing the Treaty Display located at the entrance of Bata Library in Peterborough and the Atrium at the Trent University Durham campus.
-
Learn about Indigenous artists through the Gzowski College self-guided Anishinaabe Art Tour in Enwayaang (brochure in the College Office).
- Watch documentaries sharing stories and first-hand experiences of residential school survivors.
-
Learn about Manoomin and its importance to the local First Nations.
-
Review the lesson plans created by the Trent School of Education to teach about residential schools.
-
Read the Centre for Teaching & Learning's special issue of Teaching Notes for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
-
Watch Waniska, an awakening of Indigenous Knowledge, and learn from Elders and residential school survivors of the importance of Indigenous Knowledge.
-
Read and learn from the United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
-
Learn about the history of the relationship between Indigenous people and Canada.
Take action to support Indigenous communities
To support Indigenous communities and the principles of reconciliation, on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation the Trent community is encouraged to take action and engage meaningfully in reconciliation:
-
Offer gratitude through a land acknowledgment.
-
Become knowledgeable about the local Michi Saagiig First Nations and their protocols.
-
Learn about the lands on which Trent is situated on.
-
Support Indigenous businesses, authors and artists.
-
Share calls to action with your whole family utilizing the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada’s Guide to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
-
Trent community is encouraged to visit and read books, and resources gathered by Trent Bata Library.