Truth and Reconciliation Week is a 5-day national event that will continue and highlight the conversations around “Every Child Matters.” These conversations focus on Indigenous treaties, land claims and the legacy of residential schools.
In 2021, we have all gained a deeper understanding of the historic tragedy of residential schools in Canada. The discovery of the unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools has opened the wounds that Indigenous Survivors their families and communities have endured. These discoveries have enlightened every culture: we are all learning and reflecting. Truth and Reconciliation Week, highlighted on Truth and Reconciliation Day, Thursday, September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day. This is a day to honour the children who attended residential schools and those who never returned to their families. The Survivors, their families and Indigenous Elders play a special role in telling the Truths and helping all of us to learn from those painful Truths.
“Truth and Reconciliation is important because it’s time that we hold Canada accountable for past actions taken against First Nations people. It brings a light to the terrible realities that First Nations people faced and were clearly not treated in Canadian history. To move forward as allies and equals, we must acknowledge and understand the past. There are still many injustices happening with First Nations people today and they will continue to happen unless we learn from our history.” Aaron Condo, Counsellor Gesgapegiag
Remembrance, an original painting by Mi’gmaq artist Jessica Jerome – Gesgapegiag.
Jessica states, “Only through remembrance can we keep their spirits alive.