Truth and Reconciliation

Stz’uminus elder George Harris sang the nation’s anthem and shared the story behind it at an event for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. at Transfer beach. (Photo by Tyler Hay)

PHOTOS: B.C. marks 1st National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 marked the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in…

Stz’uminus elder George Harris sang the nation’s anthem and shared the story behind it at an event for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. at Transfer beach. (Photo by Tyler Hay)
Hundreds gathered to honour the inaugrual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, Sept. 30. They walked nearly four kilometres to bring awareness and healing to residential school survivors and victims. (Adam Louis/Observer)

VIDEO: ‘We are all brothers and sisters’ Sts’ailes chief imparts words of healing, hope on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Hundreds of people walked with the Sts’ailes First Nation to remember residential school victims

Hundreds gathered to honour the inaugrual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, Sept. 30. They walked nearly four kilometres to bring awareness and healing to residential school survivors and victims. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Governor General Mary Simon speaks during the Presentation of Canadian Honours at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on September 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Truth and Reconciliation Day personal for new governor general, Mary May Simon

Daughter of a white father and Inuk mother, May Simon was not forced into residential school

Governor General Mary Simon speaks during the Presentation of Canadian Honours at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on September 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Orange Shirt Day founders Joan Sorley and Phyllis Webstad took part in a vigil on Canada Day in Williams Lake at Herb Gardner Park. Their work inspired the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Angie Mindus file photo)

‘In awe’: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation huge for Orange Shirt Day founders

Phyllis Webstad and Joan Sorley started the movement leading to national holiday in 2013

Orange Shirt Day founders Joan Sorley and Phyllis Webstad took part in a vigil on Canada Day in Williams Lake at Herb Gardner Park. Their work inspired the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Angie Mindus file photo)
A memorial is displayed on Parliament Hill as ceremonies take place for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canadians urged to donate one day’s pay to Indigenous groups on Sept. 30

Organization says it’s a way for all Canadians to mark the new holiday

A memorial is displayed on Parliament Hill as ceremonies take place for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Lekwungen Dancers perform at the Na’tsa’maht Gathering at Royal Beach Park Sept. 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Na’tsa’maht Gathering aims to bring people together

Events ongoing until 4 p.m. at Royal Bay Beach

The Lekwungen Dancers perform at the Na’tsa’maht Gathering at Royal Beach Park Sept. 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel speaks to the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church burning down early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton Indian Band Chief and Council denounce Truth and Reconciliation Day

No substantive actions to date to show a sincere commitment for reconciliation, says Chief Gabriel

Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel speaks to the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church burning down early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Namgis artist Jamin Zuroski talks Orange Shirt Day 2021 and working with teachers and students at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay. (YouTube)

Art instalment at Oak Bay school sparks larger conversation

‘We too can each share our stories and become a tighter knit community’

Namgis artist Jamin Zuroski talks Orange Shirt Day 2021 and working with teachers and students at Monterey Middle School in Oak Bay. (YouTube)
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir speaks during a news conference ahead of a ceremony to honour residential school survivors and mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in Kamloops, BC., on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The remains of 215 children were discovered buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School earlier this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Indigenous leaders call for ‘concrete action’ on first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

215 unmarked graves of missing children were found on the grounds of the Kamloops residential school

Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir speaks during a news conference ahead of a ceremony to honour residential school survivors and mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in Kamloops, BC., on Thursday, September 30, 2021. The remains of 215 children were discovered buried near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School earlier this year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor recounts torture he endured

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
The For the Children Caravan, made up of members of the Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance’s constituent First Nations, including the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, departed from Penticton on June 30 to head to the site of the Kamloops Residential School where 215 children’s bodies were uncovered. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

‘Truth and Reconciliation is an action, not a day off’: Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief

Many left wondering over new statutory Truth and Reconciliation Day, says Chief Keith Crow

The For the Children Caravan, made up of members of the Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance’s constituent First Nations, including the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, departed from Penticton on June 30 to head to the site of the Kamloops Residential School where 215 children’s bodies were uncovered. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Shoes are placed on the lawn outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School to honour 215 children after it was announced that ground-penetrating radar had detected unmarked graves near the facility in Kamloops, B.C., on June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada marks first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Numerous Indigenous nations reported unmarked graves at former residential school sites

Shoes are placed on the lawn outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School to honour 215 children after it was announced that ground-penetrating radar had detected unmarked graves near the facility in Kamloops, B.C., on June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day founders Eddy Charlie (left) and Kristin Spray (right) stand on the steps of the B.C. legislature. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day is born out of trauma, friendship and hope

‘There’s room in the circle for everyone’: Sept. 30 invites reconciliation

Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day founders Eddy Charlie (left) and Kristin Spray (right) stand on the steps of the B.C. legislature. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
J,SINTEN John Elliott, here seen speaking at the Indigenous language conference HELISET TTE SKAL – ‘Let the Languages Live,’ in 2019 says local First Nations languages are deeply connected to the surrounding land. (Photo courtesy of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation)

Saanich Peninsula resident John Elliott is a leading voice in revitalizing language, culture

Locals working hard to ensure first languages are not lost forever

J,SINTEN John Elliott, here seen speaking at the Indigenous language conference HELISET TTE SKAL – ‘Let the Languages Live,’ in 2019 says local First Nations languages are deeply connected to the surrounding land. (Photo courtesy of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation)
Steve Sxwithul'txw in his home in Cook Street Village, standing beside a print of his independent production company – Kwassen Productions - logo. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Uprooting the ‘old narrative’ by sharing Indigenous stories, experiences

Indigenous history needs to be recognized

Steve Sxwithul'txw in his home in Cook Street Village, standing beside a print of his independent production company – Kwassen Productions - logo. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A survivor of the Alberni residential school, Kathleen Horne, left, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Tsawout residential school survivor no longer afraid to share her story

‘We, as the survivors, can tell the stories for the ones who didn’t get to go home’

A survivor of the Alberni residential school, Kathleen Horne, left, and her husband Doug LaFortune stand outside the First Peoples House at the University of Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Kendra Gage, executive director of Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, at the society’s Langford location. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

‘It’s about really understanding our history’: Acknowledging truths the first step in reconciliation

The path forward starts with a commitment to learning and listening

Kendra Gage, executive director of Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, at the society’s Langford location. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
A woman places one of 215 pairs of children’s shoes on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery as a memorial to the 215 children whose remains have been found buried at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, May 28, 2021. When the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Nation announced the discovery of 215 unmarked graves found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Canadians had to face the horrific realities Indigenous children and youth had to live while being forced to attend residential schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Teaching Canadians to observe solemn new Truth and Reconciliation Day could take time

The holiday grants a paid day off to federally regulated employees and public servants

A woman places one of 215 pairs of children’s shoes on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery as a memorial to the 215 children whose remains have been found buried at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, May 28, 2021. When the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Nation announced the discovery of 215 unmarked graves found at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Canadians had to face the horrific realities Indigenous children and youth had to live while being forced to attend residential schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Greater Victoria survivor recounts torture he endured at Indian Hospital

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held at the Nanaimo Indian Hospital for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
The WSANEC Leadership Council wants to help non-Indigenous residents understand more about the traditional territories, language and history of First Nations in the area. (Photo courtesy of the WSANEC Leadership Council/Twitter)

WSANEC settler education page offers resources on Indigenous territories, language

Territory acknowledgments, history lessons offered to help reconciliation efforts

The WSANEC Leadership Council wants to help non-Indigenous residents understand more about the traditional territories, language and history of First Nations in the area. (Photo courtesy of the WSANEC Leadership Council/Twitter)
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