National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are September 30, 2022 - a day to honour the children who never returned home and the Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Here you'll find resources and a comprehensive list of SLC and partner events taking in the days leading up to, and including, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Thank you to the Indigenous team at SLC for organizing several events on our campuses designed to increase awareness about the trauma caused by the residential school system in Canada. The events and resources planned by the team honour Survivors and those that lost their lives, and they will start important conversations regarding reconciliation. Whether you join a walk, learn from a webinar, or visit an art exhibit, be open to learning from the perspectives shared, from a place of sincere respect and allyship.
SLC Honour Walks
Note: Students who registered for the walk on UR SLC can receive a free orange shirt. Staff and faculty who have registered for the walk can obtain a shirt with a donation. Both groups should indicate their preferred shirt size when they register.
TRC Honour Walk – Cornwall Campus
- When: September 30
- Where: Meet in Aultsville Hall foyer for the Honour Walk along the Cornwall Bike Trail
- Time: 12:00 – 1:00pm
- Registration: UR SLC
- Contact: Shirley Chaisson
Following the walk, participants are welcome to join us in the Centre for a talking circle and food.
TRC Honour Walk – Brockville Campus
- When: September 30
- Where: Meet at the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery
- Time: 12:00 – 1:00pm
- Registration: UR SLC
- Contact: Julie Johnston, Holly Brant
Following the walk, participants are welcome to join us for a talking circle and food.
TRC Honour Walk – Kingston Campus
- When: September 30
- Where: Meet outside at the Indigenous Medicine Garden
- Time: Walk 11:00am – 12:00pm; Centre 12:00pm – 1:00pm; Note: those who registered for a free orange shirt can pick it up in the Indigenous Centre after 10:30am on the day of the walk
- Registration: UR SLC
- Contact: Mary Ann Lyons, Indigenous Student Advisor
Participants in the TRC Honour Walk will assemble in the Medicine Garden outside the Indigenous Centre, where our elder, Helena, will deliver teachings about the significance of the day and the Orange Shirt initiative. She will then lead the walk to the Alderville First Nation Commemorative Garden at Lake Ontario Park.
Following the walk, participants, as well as those who were not able to attend the TRC Honour Walk, may gather in the Indigenous Centre for discussion and support. In the spirit of reconciliation, honour, and celebration of resiliency, we will enjoy a feast together.
Indigenous Centre Activities
Promoting Allyship for Students
Stop by and see Shirley Chaisson, Indigenous Student Advisor, to make your commitment to allyship at SLC!
- Brockville Campus: September 29 between 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Indigenous Centre
- Cornwall Campus: September 30 between 11:30am – 1:30pm in Aultsville foyer
Beaded Orange Shirt Pin Activity for Students
Shirley will have the materials available for students in the Indigenous Centre to make Beaded Orange Shirt pins for Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as well as No Face Beaded Pins/Beaded Red Dress Pins for the Sisters in Spirit Vigils on October 4.
- Brockville Campus: September 29 in the Indigenous Centre
- Cornwall Campus: September 26-30 in the Indigenous Centre
Faceless Dolls Activity
- Kingston Campus: Materials and teachings for the creation of faceless dolls in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are available in the Indigenous Centre (03030) from 8am to 4pm daily until the Sisters in Spirit Vigils on October 4. On October 4, to commemorate Sisters in Spirit Day, we will have information about this initiative in the upper concourse. Please stop by our table.
Indigenous Art Exhibits on Campus
#hopeandhealingcanada by Tracey-Mae Chambers
- When: September 7 – October 30
- Where: Brockville - Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, St. Lawrence College, 2288 Parkedale Avenue; Kingston - St. Lawrence College, 100 Portsmouth Avenue (outside the main entrance); Cornwall - St. Lawrence College, 2 St. Lawrence Drive (inside the main entrance)
Using large premade crochet and knit pieces made of red yarn, Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers has created art installations in the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, located within St. Lawrence College's Brockville campus, as well as on sites at St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall and Kingston campuses. #hopeandhealingcanada broaches the subject of decolonization and our connections to one another.
“We Were Children - Shiiakwaksha’okon:a” Art Exhibit
- When: September 16 – 29
- Where: Cornwall Campus Library
- Artist Talk: Join us for in person discussions about the exhibit led by the Native North American Indian Travelling College team on September 29 at 10:00am and 1:00pm in the Library.
- Contact: Shannon Hall, Education Developer/Curriculum Consultant Indigenous Ways of Knowing & Being
“We Were Children - Shiiakwaksha'okon:'a” is a moccasin/vamp installation displaying 215+ beaded vamps in honor of the children that didn't make it, the survivors & their families. The purpose of this project was to provide a space for healing within our community, to honor those affected, and as a way to educate our non-native relatives about what has happened to our ancestors and relatives. The effect of residential schools is still felt today, and there is an ongoing fight for justice to those lost, those who survived, and those affected.” - NNATC, 2021.
Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to create dialogue around the issue of Residential Schools by:
- Bringing your class to view the exhibit
- Discuss content of the exhibit
- Assess how you feel about the exhibit
- Let the exhibit shape the conversation
- Encourage others to view the exhibit
- Take a picture of the exhibit and share with your virtual class
Events From SLC Partners
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
CCDI welcomes guest Laura Arndt, Chief Operating Officer, Survivors' Secretariat, to their podcast on September 29. Available to listen on and after September 29.
Downie Wenjack Fund
On September 30, Downie Wenjack Fund has two initiatives that everyone can participate in as a way to commemorate the day:
- A Day to Listen – From 6:00am to 6:00pm local time, more than 500 radio stations in Canada will share interviews with Indigenous leaders, Elders, youth, and other community members centred around the theme Messages of Hope
- Panel Discussion: Indigenous Perspectives on the Pope's Apology – Downie Wenjack Fund is hosting a panel discussion at 1:00pm ET that will explore the effects of the Pope’s visit on communities and reconciliation in Canada. Registration required.
Indigenous Works
On September 29 at 1:00pm, Indigenous Works will offer this webinar for Leadership Circle Members, including SLC:
- Bringing Reconciliation into your Business – The notion that participating in the reconciliation process is complicated often dissuades organizations from taking ownership of their responsibilities toward true reconciliation. However, the process of working toward positive relationships with Indigenous People doesn't have to be difficult and can be very rewarding at many levels. This webinar will examine Reconciliation and its principles. Additionally, participants will receive invaluable suggestions on how to incorporate reconciliation and its principles into the daily routine of your business.