Upcoming Indigenous Days of Significance

22 hours ago

2 min read

Content Warning: Residential Schools, MMIWG2S+

“Every Child Matters”

Those are the words many of us are going to be seeing a lot on September 30th, the 12th annual Orange Shirt Day, also referred to as National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. This grassroots movement, started by Phyllis Webstaff in Williams Lake, BC, is to remind us of the atrocities of Residential Schools across Canada, and the work settlers still have to do to heal and make reparations.

Educators throughout many school districts wear orange shirts every Wednesday to remind ourselves the importance of supporting Indigenous students everyday, but it’s especially important for everyone to show their support by wearing orange on September 30th.

If you’re looking to get more involved, though, we invite you to first check out some of the virtual education seminars during Truth and Reconciliation Week (Sep. 21-25) from the University of Manitoba.

If you’re interested in local events in BC, there will be an Indigenous short film screen series on Sep. 20th, and a gathering and march on Sep. 30th hosted by UBC’s Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Center. Find more details about them and other events throughout Canada at Cultural Survival.

Quickly following Orange Shirt Day is the National Day of Action for MMIWG2S+ in Canada on October 4th. Among other things, vigils are held across the country to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. These vigils also serve as demonstrations that so much work still needs to be done to ensure better safety and protections for Indigenous women. The Sisters in Spirit website has information about attending and hosting vigils if you would like to participate.

September 30th and October 4th are two of the most important days of the year for acknowledging the past and working towards a better now and tomorrow for Indigenous Peoples. But, it can also trigger personal and generational trauma. If you or someone you know is suffering, please reach out to one of the many help and support services available.

Phone Lines and Links:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society LAMATHUT Crisis Line 1 (800) 721-0066

24-Hour National Crisis Line 1 (866) 925-4419

KUU-US Crisis Line 1 (800) 588-8717

Tsow-Tun-Le Lum 1 (866) 925-4419

Indigenous Wellness Program (604) 675-2551 or 1 (866) 884-0888

Canadian Mental Health Association1 (800) 555-8222

HeretoHelp 1 (800) 661-2121

First Nations Health Authority – Mental Health Benefit

Kids Help Phone1 (800) 668-6868

Crisis Services Canada 1 (833) 456-4566 or text 45645

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 1 (855) 242-3310