Image: Survivors’ Flag raised at the BC Legislature / September 25, 2023 / BC Govt / Flickr

By Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordan Head

OPINION

YOUR PERSPECTIVE: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Sep 28, 2023 | 7:58 AM

On September 30th people across British Columbia and the entire country observe Orange Shirt Day to honour and remember residential school survivors and those children who never came home. We also acknowledge the resilience and strength that Indigenous communities have shown in the wake of the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system and the impacts of colonialism. We have the opportunity to come together to convey a clear message: “Every Child Matters”.

It is with heavy hearts that we hear about the recent findings from the Sto:lo Nation on their work to document the experiences of Indigenous children who were taken to the three Indian residential schools and one Indian hospital in their territory. These findings continue to shape our understanding of the horrific historical wrongs. I offer my deepest condolences to the families and communities who lost loved ones.

The Orange Shirt Day campaign was founded in 2013, based on the story of residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad. In 1973, Phyllis was sent to St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, B.C. when she was just six years old. On her way to attend school on her first day, she was given an orange shirt by her grandmother, only to have it taken from her upon her arrival: she never saw it again.

We know that Phyllis’s story is just one of many, and we wear orange shirts on September 30th to honour not only those who suffered in the residential school system but also their families. In recent years, the discovery of unmarked graves at residential school sites across the province has been a stark and somber reminder of just how traumatic these schools were and continue to be for so many Indigenous people.

Since 2021, September 30th is also the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This year marks the first time that this day of remembrance covers the entire workforce, since all parties in the legislature voted to enshrine it in provincial law. This is just one of the ways we are responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Our government recognizes our responsibility to take action. We must, alongside Indigenous peoples, take steps to ensure that all British Columbians are aware of the history and legacy of residential schools.

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On Monday, September 25^th we, alongside Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors and colleagues from three provincial parties, raised the Survivors’ Flag at the B.C. Legislature. Our government recognizes that there is much more work to do; we are committed to building lasting and meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities across the province and to strive for true reconciliation.

Across BC various local events are taking place this week, leading up to the weekend of September 30th and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. These are great opportunities to engage and to learn more about the history of Indigenous people in your community, and the impacts of the residential school system.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen more British Columbians participating in these local events, wearing their orange shirts, and engaging in sometimes difficult conversations. I hope that you will have an opportunity this year to find ways to participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Support services are available. A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides support for former residential school students and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24/7 crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.