This year will mark the first time that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30, will be a federal holiday — though not a provincial one in Ontario. But it is far from the first time that the day has held significance for Indigenous people and non-Indigenous as well.
Sept. 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day, which also honours the generations who suffered in the residential school system, but after the events of 2021 — from the remains found on the site of a former residential school Kamloops to the thousands that have now been received from across the country — the federal government elevated the day for national recognition.
And while there will be all types of observances across the province and here in Sudbury, one colour, one shirt, will be a constant.
Orange Shirt Day was first observed in 2013 as a way to educate and promote awareness of the trauma and suffering that survivors of the residential schools endured, and still do. The wearing of the orange shirt is thanks to Phyllis (Jack) Webstad.
When Webstad was six years old, she was sent to the St. Joseph Mission school near her home on Dog Creek Reserve (now Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation or SXFN) near the Fraser River in British Columbia. In her telling (as told to OrangeShirtDay.org) she recalls her excitement at going to the store to pick out a new shirt for school — shiny and orange, with a lace up front.
The shirt was taken from her that first day at the mission school, with all of her other clothes and she never saw the orange shirt again. In the story, she stated “the colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
But she wanted that to change, and now, on Sept 30, Sudburians and people across the country will be wearing orange in honour of all those children who felt worthless; and for all those still struggling with these feelings.
In her story, she recalls having her son when she was in Grade 8, just 13 years old, and being unable to turn to her grandmother or mother, as they too had been to residential schools and had no idea how to parent. She stated that after she went to a treatment centre and as she works through her pain, “Even now, when I know nothing could be further than the truth, I still sometimes feel that I don’t matter.”
To ensure that no other Indigenous person feels that way, events honouring both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt day are happening across the city.
Local events in Sudbury
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger will make an official proclamation and all municipal flags will be lowered to half-mast as a sign of collective respect and mourning to recognize the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.
"On September 30, I encourage each and every one of you to take time to seek additional knowledge or truth and to reflect on those so profoundly impacted by residential schools," said Bigger in a statement. "Learn from our Indigenous leaders, Knowledge Keepers and Elders, and reflect on our individual roles and responsibilities on the path toward reconciliation.
At Science North, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be presentations and workshops throughout the science centre, a look at the special exhibit Indigenous Ingenuity, and an outdoor marketplace, allowing guests to learn from a variety of Indigenous businesses, artists, and community members from N’Swakamok (Sudbury) and Northern Ontario. Proof of vaccination is required to attend this event. The event is free for members and $12 for non-members, you can find more information at ScienceNorth.ca.
Lisa Marie Naponse, who will be performing at Science North, told Sudbury.com she hopes non-Indigenous Canadians will spend the day reflecting.
“Getting to know the land that they reside on, and learn more about what First Nations surround you, who were the people that lived on these lands generations before us” said Naponse. “Learn about the trauma our people had to face but more importantly all the gifts that we bring to the world. Hold your children and loved ones tight, care more, don’t let anyone be left out in the cold, always be inclusive and let indigenous voices be heard.”
To honour the day, Naponse would like the community to acknowledge that “time has run out and many things need to be changed,” she said. “Find all the children and bring them home, fund music, sports, recreation, and art for all Indigenous children. Do not let anything like this ever happen again and protect the land for generations to come.”
At Cambrian College, students are encouraged to wear orange on Sept. 30, but are also creating a path of orange hearts through the campus, sharing the messages from students and visitors to the school. You can read the virtual versions of those messages, and write your own, by clicking here.
Laurentian University will have an afternoon of ceremony and speeches, reflecting on the meaning of the day, as well as lighting a sacred fire in the school’s wigwam. There will be a tree-planting ceremony and a chance for the community to renew and care for the Apology Cairn. As well, the viewers will observe 2:15 minutes of silence at 2:15 to honour the remains located on the grounds of the former Kamloops residential.
To honour the survivors of the residential school that was once on the grounds of Algoma University, the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC), Anishinaabe Academic Resource Centre and the Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students’ Association of Algoma University are partnering to host a virtual event that will be accessible to all. You can find the detailed list of virtual events here.
Visit Sudbury.com throughout the day as we bring you coverage of those honouring the first annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
