Saturday, September 30 marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (TRC). On that day campus services, including the Library, will close to allow students and staff to contemplate the repercussions of the Canadian residential school system. To support this reflection the Library invites students and staff to take part in the following activities.
Orange Heart Beaded Pin Activity
Orange shirts are symbols which mark the impacts of residential schools on Indigenous peoples in Canada. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also known as Orange Shirt Day. The symbolism of the orange shirt comes from the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a Northern Secwépemc (Shuswap) woman from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). Phyllis was forced to attend residential school, as were over 150,000 Indigenous children over more than a century,
“At six years old, Phyllis attended her first day of school at the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School wearing her shiny new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother (Kyé7e [QUE-A-AH]). It was taken away and never returned.”
(Orange Shirt Society. n.d.)
During the week leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation the Library invites you to create an orange heart pin using beads. You can spend time in the Library, creating a pin and reflecting upon the ongoing impacts of Canadian residential schools on Indigenous peoples.
As you sit to make your pin, you can talk with other creators, read the resources we have on the residential schools at the table, or quietly reflect upon your role in ensuring Canada meets the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The designs were created by Felice Gladue, who has permitted us to share the design and materials with you. Materials will be available at these library locations: Rutherford, Cameron, Bibliothèque Saint-Jean and Augustana between September 25-29. Sperber library will offer materials the day we open to the public, September 29.
Floor Map:
Please join us September 26th to view our Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada giant floor map. This map displays all of Canada with markings as to where every residential school was located. Drop by the university (middle) quad to view the 8m x 11m vinyl map on Tuesday September 26th between 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. This date is weather dependent and if needed will be moved to September 27th at the same time. We will update this information closer to the event.
References:
Orange Shirt Society. “Orange Shirt Society Resources” n.d. orangeshirtday.org
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