National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is more than a day of remembrance; it is a call to accountability. Reconciliation is not about symbolic gestures or checklists; it is about genuine relationships and a commitment to do the work that ensures Indigenous students, colleagues, and communities feel seen, supported, and valued. 

For generations, Indigenous Peoples have been required to learn about Western systems, practices, and worldviews. They have been forced, often against their will, to adapt to Western ways of life. It is time to shift. It is time for institutions, programs, and leaders to learn about us — our histories, our ways of knowing, and the strength of our cultures. 

Reconciliation is not about being “right.” It is about being different. It is about recognizing and honouring our unique differences, about transforming our workplaces and classrooms into spaces where Indigenous student voices are respected and where they feel genuinely supported. 

On Orange Shirt Day, we remember the children who never returned home, the survivors, and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. But remembrance alone is not enough. Real reconciliation requires action, courage, and a willingness to be uncomfortable in order to grow. 

Every program, every classroom, every workplace, and every person has a role to play. This is what reconciliation looks like: caring deeply about Indigenous student success, adapting our approaches to instructing and learning as an institution, and walking together in relationship, side by side.