President Steenkamp: Orange Shirt Day & National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Royal Roads University joins Canadians in observing Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. To Indigenous students, staff, and faculty here at RRU, I hope these days bring you meaningful opportunities for support and connection, including from your RRU colleagues.
Throughout the month, there are many events at RRU, and in the wider community, that honour the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and provide opportunities for education and reflection on the ongoing impact of colonialism in Canada.
The Indigenous Education team has been holding a series of events as safe spaces for Royal Roads staff and faculty to learn. This included a “Sharing Knowledge through Humour and Beading” event on September 5. And on September 13, they welcomed Dr. Raven Sinclair as part of the Indigenous Speaker Series for her talk, “The Good Red Road to Reconciliation: Nurturing the Seeds of Transformation.” Dr. Sinclair, a Nehiyaw/Cree, Young Dog Assiniboine, Crow, and Red River Métis, has taught at universities across Canada.
Coming up on Thursday, September 26, staff and faculty can join the Indigenous Education team from noon to 2 p.m. in the Dogwood Auditorium for popcorn and a screening of Inconvenient Indian, based on the book by Thomas King.
Members of the Diversity Action Group will host three educational events to support learning about the ongoing impact of colonialism in Canada and actions that immigrants and descendants of immigrants can take to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, especially Call-to-Action 63 on education. Join for one or more:
- Film & Dialogue Educational Event (in person): Wednesday, September 25 from noon-1:30 p.m. in person at Sneq'wa e'lun.
- Film & Dialogue Educational Event (online): Wednesday, September 25 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
- Orange Shirt Day Community Event for Reflection and Action to debrief related learning over the month: Friday, September 27 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in person at the Dogwood Auditorium.
On September 30, the RRU campus will be closed and the Survivors’ Flag will fly over the beautiful traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The Survivors’ Flag honours residential school survivors and everyone impacted by Canada’s residential school system. You can learn more about the flag and hear from Survivors on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
I’ll be wearing an orange shirt that day, beautifully designed by Lekwungen Elder, Dr. Butch Dick, who is also a member of our Heron Peoples Circle. Wearing this shirt represents my commitment to the necessary and important work of reconciliation, both as an individual and also as part of the collective responsibility we have as a university.
As the Orange Shirt Society states, wearing an orange shirt is a visible way to witness and honour the healing journey of the Survivors and their families. Dr. Butch Dick’s design speaks to the origins of the Heron Peoples Circle, and reinforces that Every Child Matters. You can find one in our campus store. Proceeds go to the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society and the RRU Heron Peoples Circle.
There are many other ways to take part. Visit our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day webpage to learn more about the meaning of this Day. You can also find a link to the RRU Library’s digital display, which includes faculty and student publications, video and audio resources, and books related to Indigeneity and truth and reconciliation. No matter who we are, we all have a responsibility — and an opportunity — to take meaningful action.