National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This year, September 30 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. As a conscious step towards reconciliation, we honour those who have been impacted by Canada’s residential school system, including Indian residential school Survivors, their families and communities. As an act of decolonization, this day formally recognizes the history and legacy of residential schools and establishes the collective opportunity for a nationwide focus on learning, reflection and healing.
We encourage CapU students and employees to wear an orange shirt during the week of September 27, and to take the time to participate in the initiatives happening at the University and in your local communities.
Indigenous Education & Affairs invites you to the following Indigenous Plan events
September 27—Speaker Series: Lorna Williams, professor emerita
Noon–1 p.m.
Attend in person at the Kéxwusm-áyakn Student Centre (LB302) and via Zoom
Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams is professor emerita of Indigenous education, curriculum and instruction at the University of Victoria and Canada Research chair in education and linguistics. She has been living and breathing the Calls to Action on education and language since before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was ever imagined. She built her career on the principle that quality education for Indigenous children must be characterized by strong cultural teachings alongside a Euro-Western education. Visit inspire.ca for a full bio.
September 28—Speaker Series: Elder Carleen Thomas, Emily Carr University of Art & Design chancellor
Noon–1 p.m.
Attend in person at the Kéxwusm-áyakn Student Centre (LB302) and via Zoom
Tsleil-Waututh Nation Elder Carleen Thomas is the special projects manager for the Treaty Lands & Resources Department of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. As an educator, she works to build relationships with communities and various government entities encompassed within the homelands and waters of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. She spent one year on the Capilano University Senate as an Indigenous representative. Thomas currently sits on the Wild Bird Trust of BC Board of Directors, Burnaby School District’s Aboriginal Education Advisory, and was recently appointed chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art & Design.
September 29—Indigenous Plan: In Discussion
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Join us for lunch (or take lunch to go) in person at LB322 and the Kéxwusm-áyakn
Student Centre (LB302) or join the chat via Zoom
What is decolonization? What is Indigenization? And how could, and should, they be looked at in relation to CapU? We invite all students and employees to join us in this important discussion. This will be a hybrid presentation. Share your thoughts, and we will synergize the information to help us set the path forward.
Purchase your Every Child Matters (Orange) shirt at the CapU Bookstore
You can purchase an Every Child Matters (Orange) T-shirt from the CapU Bookstore. T-shirts cost $15.99, with proceeds going to the Orange Shirt Society, the BC Aboriginal Child Care Association, the Native Northwest Reconciliation Fund and the Tsimshian artist who designed this shirt, Morgan Asoyuf. For every T-shirt sold, the Capilano University Foundation will donate an additional $5 to the Orange Shirt Society (up to $500).
Learn more
United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action
National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice
Additional Indigenous resources at CapU
Check out the Library’s Indigenous resources, including reading list, movies and more
Capilano Students’ Union: Indigenous Self-Education Resources
Submitted by: Communications