On September 30th, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak acknowledged the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, and is urging the Government of Canada to advance progress towards fully implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action.
Orange Shirt Day began in 1973 when six-year-old Phyllis Webstad entered St. Joseph Mission Residential School wearing a new orange shirt, which was forcibly taken from her and replaced with the school’s institutional uniform. Her story has inspired a national movement to acknowledge the experiences of residential school Survivors.
“On September 30th, we wear orange to remember that Every Child Matters and to bring awareness to the painful legacy of residential schools that attempted to erase First Nations children of their language, culture, and identity,” said AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. “Despite attempts made to erase our people, we have remained resilient. Our cultures, languages, and traditions are not just surviving; they are thriving,” said National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak.
In 2015, the TRC released its Final Report, outlining 94 Calls to Action, calling on all levels of government to work together to readdress the harm caused by residential schools and advance reconciliation.
“Nine years later, the delay in implementing these Calls to Action are significant concern for First Nations and there is substantial work yet to be done,” said AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak. “Additionally, Call to Action #77, which demands the release of residential school records to support efforts to locate our lost children and provide information to Survivors, has yet to be fulfilled.”
“I encourage all Canadians, institutions, and organizations to participate in events and activities that promote awareness, educate, and reflect on the history and legacy of residential schools. The journey towards reconciliation is ongoing, and we urge all levels of government to fulfill its commitments by fully implementing the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action, supporting Survivors, their families, and all First Nations across Turtle Island. By doing so, we can advance and uphold First Nations’ rights and ensure an equitable future for the next generations,” concluded AFN National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak.
Residential school history in Canada
More than 139 residential schools operated in Canada between the 1800s and 1996. The school system was created to isolate Indigenous children from the influence of their own culture and religion in order to assimilate them into the dominant Canadian and European culture. The Canadian government adopted the residential industrial school and partnership with various church organizations.
The last one closed in 1996. More than 150,000 Indigenous children – First Nations, Inuit and Métis – attended these schools. Many of those were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, as well as harsh conditions. More than 6,000 children are estimated to have died in residential schools. (Global and Mail)
There were 138 residential schools reviewed by the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation commission). Most of the school buildings have been demolished, but some were converted to other uses: During the summer of 2021, 215 suspected graves were reported as First Nations used ground-penetrating radar, archival detective work and the help of experts to find the remains of long-lost loved ones. The burials brought the horrors of Canada’s residential school system to light, and rekindled Canadians’ conversations about the colonial legacy and reconciliation. (Global and Mail)
A recent interim report from the International Commission on Missing Persons, an international group hired to provide advice on identifying and locating the suspected unmarked graves, says Canada should continue funding searches beyond 2025. (Global and Mail)
