Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) acknowledges and honours September 30 as both Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day serves as a reminder of the legacy of the residential school system, the lasting impacts that it had on over 150,000 children and their families, and how it continues to impact them to this day.
Orange Shirt Day originated in 2013 in Williams Lake, as part of the St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project. It was inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band), whose new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. Her story has become a powerful symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children for generations.
In the capital region, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day when people from different communities come together in the spirit of healing and allyship, to remember the impact of residential school institutions, the lives lost and generational trauma. Victoria Orange Shirt Day organizers Eddy Charlie of Quw'utsun, a Kuper Island Residential School Survivor, and friend Kristin Spray, have been instrumental in raising awareness about the truths of Residential schools for the past ten years. Through their work together, they encourage thousands of people across the region to participate in ongoing efforts of truth-telling and reconciliation.
“By questioning the historical facts of residential schools and minimizing the impacts or truths of residential school survivors, denialism in Canada is making survivors and their families question themselves and relive traumas of the past. Denialism halts all efforts to create a workable relationship where trust is built so that conversation can be open and shared with respect so that other survivors can feel courage to have their stories heard and respected too. Faith is believing in your hopes. Hopes for a future not seen yet. This is what the essence of what our vision of reconciliation looks like and what we hope community will hear and respect.” - Eddy Charlie of Quw'utsun
While September 30 provides an important opportunity to remember and reflect, Reconciliation is a year-round responsibility. The CRD has launched its Reconciliation Action Plan to establish concrete actions to advance reconciliation, embed reconciliation principles and initiatives across CRD operations, support the implementation and delivery of Board pPriorities, and establish a process to measure progress and transparently report on reconciliation initiatives.
“September 30 is an opportunity to honour Survivors, remember the children who never came home, and reflect on the truth of Canada's residential school history. Reconciliation is an ongoing responsibility, and through the CRD's Reconciliation Action Plan, we are committed to learning, building respectful relationships, and taking meaningful action throughout the year." - Cliff McNeil-Smith, Chair, Capital Regional District (CRD) Board
The CRD continues to work toward advancing reconciliation and achieving the goals of strengthening relationships with First Nations, supporting shared prosperity, respecting relationships with lands and waters, and fostering cultural safety and inclusion.
The CRD is honoured to be asked to raise the Xe Xe Smun' Eem flag which remembers the lost lives of residential school children.By flying the Xe Xe Smun' Eem flag from September 23 to October 5 the CRD is committing to acknowledging the legacy of residential school and standing in solidarity with Survivors and their families.
The CRD encourages all residents to participate in Truth and Reconciliation Day events, wear orange throughout the year, and engage in conversations about the legacy of residential schools, not just on September 30 but year-round.
