As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, I invite you to use the spirit of the day to be a part of this important conversation.
We can only move forward on the path toward truth and reconciliation if there are people willing to show up, listen, engage and work together. When we do this we create a more understanding and supportive environment here at MacEwan. These acts have a profound effect on our entire community.
Education is a driving force toward reconciliation. Sharing how we honour our place in O-day’min, creating opportunities for learning and reconciliation here on campus and committing ourselves to supporting Indigenous students are all important ways we can make a difference.
If you haven’t watched the video series created by kihêw waciston in partnership with the City of Edmonton and other community partners, I would encourage you to spend some time to explore the content, which is a great resource to understand the legacy of the residential school system.
- Introduction to Truth-Telling Teachings
- Maintaining My Inuinnaqtun Language
- Medicine Teachings with Elder Francis Whiskeyjack
- Reconnecting to Culture Through Hide
- Blue Quills Residential School: A Survivor's Story
Faculty can also use a list of story starters developed by kihêw waciston to create classroom dialogue.
I hope to see many of you take part in Orange Shirt Day, as it’s a visible way to show your support for residential school survivors, and acknowledge the intergenerational impact that residential schools – as well as the other child removal policies that followed – have had on Indigenous communities.
Thank you for everything you do to create an environment where people feel safe, respected and important.
Dr. Annette Trimbee
President and Vice-Chancellor