Reconciliation

Commemorative Dates

June: National Indigenous History Month
June 21st: National Indigenous Peoples Day

In June, take time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. Engage with Indigenous-created content: Attend events, watch films, listen to podcasts, read books, and have conversations with your friends, family and colleagues about what you learn.

September 30th: Orange Shirt Day

Organized by The Orange Shirt Society, Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemoration to raise awareness of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on individuals, families and communities. Through the Orange Shirt Society’s initiative, orange shirts have come to symbolize the systemic stripping of culture, freedom, and family that Indigenous children have experienced for generations.

September 30th: The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which falls on the same day as Orange Shirt Day, is a direct response to the TRC Call to Action 80, which called for a federal statutory day of commemoration to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that the public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

How to Participate

• On September 30th wear Orange to stand in solidarity with the Orange Shirt Day Society’s message that “Every Child Matters”
• Learn whose land you live on and its history prior to settler colonial arrival
• Educate yourself on the truth of residential schools, BC and Canada’s colonial legacy, and the many impacts these have on indigenous peoples and communities, particularly the impacts on those traditionally living in your community.
  » Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
• Listen to those who share with you their stories and experiences :
  » Try this talk by Ry Moran, Canada’s inaugural Associate University Librarian – Reconciliation at the University of Victoria, Truth Telling as a Precursor to Reconciliation.
  » Legacy of Hope: Educational Videos – Survivors Interviews
• Attend events in your community
  » View this BC Museums Association compiled list of virtual and in-person events across BC
• Donate to Indigenous-led charities such as
  » The Orange Shirt Society
  » Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Organizations to Know

BC-based Organizations

» BC Treaty Commission
» First Peoples’ Cultural Council

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council is a provincial Crown Corporation formed by the government of British Columbia in 1990 to administer the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Program.

» Indian Residential Survivor’s Society

This provincial organization has a twenty-year history of providing services to Indian Residential School Survivors.

» Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre at UBC

The Centre works with partners across disciplines, at UBC and beyond, to facilitate dialogues and access to records and information that support engaging the legacies of the residential school system and the on-going impacts of colonialism in Canada

» Indigenous Tourism BC

» Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

National Indigenous-Led Organizations

» Indigenous Heritage Circle

The Indigenous Heritage Circle (IHC) was founded in 2016 as an Indigenous-designed and Indigenous-led organization dedicated to the advancement of cultural heritage matters of importance to Métis, Inuit and First Nations.

» Legacy of Hope

National Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School System.

» Reconciliation Canada

Reconciliation Canada is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.

National Government Branches

» Indigenous Peoples and Cultures

» Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

» Library and Archives Canada: Indigenous Heritage

» Parks Canada Agency: Indigenous Affairs Branch

Ally Toolkit

Resources to help you acknowledge the past, recognize truth and seek reconciliation.

Relationship Building
» Heritage BC Webinar: The Reality of Inclusion when Collaborating and Partnering with Indigenous Neighbours
» 23 Tips On What Not To Say Or Do When Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples
» 27 Tips On What To Say And Do When Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples
» Ayisinowak – A Communications Guide to facilitate improved relationship building
» Building Relationships with First Nations (Union of BC Municipalities publication)
» Indigenous Ally Toolkit – Produced by the Montreal Aboriginal Urban Strategy Network 
» Statement Of Guiding Principles For Presenting Indigenous Work
» Best Practices for Indigenous Engagement (Canadian Commssion for UNESCO)

Language
» Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines (UBC)
» First Nations Language Map (Museum of Anthropology) & Nations Map (BC region only)
» Pronunciation Guide to First Nations of BC
» Words Matter from the BC Public Service Agency

Continuing Education
» Indigenous Canada Online Course (University of Alberta’s 12 lesson course from the Faculty of Native Studies)
» Warrior Life Podcasts (Warrior Life, stories of Indigenous activists)
» National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Educational Programs