{"id":31123,"date":"2023-09-28T16:34:52","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T23:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/announce\/?p=31123"},"modified":"2023-09-28T16:34:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T23:34:52","slug":"national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-sept-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ufv.ca\/announce\/2023\/09\/28\/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation-sept-30\/","title":{"rendered":"National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Sept 30"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Ey sw\u00e1yel,<\/p>\n

As I reflect on last week\u2019s announcement from the Xy\u00f3lhmet ye Sy\u00e9wiqw\u00e9lh (Taking Care of Our Children) team regarding the atrocities committed at St. Mary\u2019s Residential School, Coqualeetza Industrial Institute, All Hallows School, and Coqualeetza Indian Hospital, I am filled with sadness and anger as I continue to learn of the experiences of Indigenous children in residential schools. What they saw, heard,\u00a0and experienced for decades and generations, and the immense pain and grief of the families they were taken from.<\/p>\n

As we approach the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we must acknowledge the truth \u2013 that Canada has a painful history of colonization, and it has serious lasting impacts of intergenerational trauma.<\/p>\n

And we must also honour other truths, like the awe-inspiring resilience, strength, and kindness of the St\u00f3:l\u014d\u202fand all Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island who have stewarded the land for time immemorial. Each and every day we feel the compassion of Elders, St\u00f3:l\u014d Elders, families, and leaders in St\u00f3:l\u014d T\u00e9m\u00e9xw as they walk with us in our time of learning. And despite the atrocities committed, there is proof all around us that St\u00f3:l\u014d culture, language, and art have survived.<\/p>\n

We remind our university community that the work of\u202fReconciliation involves everyone, and that succeeding in delivering on the\u202fTruth and Reconciliation Commission\u2019s 94 calls to action<\/a>\u202frequires that we act together, moving forward in the spirit of lets\u2019e\u202f\u00f3\u202fsqw\u00e1lewel (unity).<\/p>\n

Many of us will wear orange \u2014 a shirt, a pin, or a ribbon \u2014 and reflect on and discuss why we are wearing it. Take time to learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples where you live and work. Explore the many opportunities available at UFV and in the community to watch, learn, and grow, including:<\/p>\n