tânisi cuzzins,
Today, I want to reflect on what Orange Shirt Day means to IndigiNews. This day is a solemn reminder of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities, where the impact of residential schools continues to reverberate through generations. At IndigiNews, we believe in amplifying the voices of Elders, including those who attended these institutions and survived them, and those who never came home.
It’s also a reminder of how precious life is. We’re grateful to be here today, alive and sharing stories with you, our cuzzins.
I’ve also asked Aaron Hemens, a storyteller who has been part of our journey, to share his thoughts:
“As a settler, Orange Shirt Day is an important day to reflect and educate myself on the historical and ongoing oppression of Indigenous Peoples in this country. It’s a day for settlers to face the uncomfortable truth of how Canada is, how it came to be and how we benefit from this oppressive system. It’s a day for us to show up to community gatherings, listen and learn about the harm that colonialism has created for generations of Indigenous families. There can be no reconciliation if we cannot accept the hard truth, and it’s on the onus of us settlers to make that effort in bridging those gaps. Despite the ugliness of the truth and the discomfort that comes with learning about it, you begin to see how we can create a better world together and for future generations when
you take the time to build relationships with Indigenous communities.”
While Indigenous Peoples are at the heart of our storytelling, many of IndigiNews' readers are settlers who have decided to listen to the perspectives of Indigenous people, in the way we want to present it. hiy hiy.
For settlers looking to further their personal reconciliation journey, here are some actions you can take:
Do your own reading and research about the residential “school” system and its ongoing impacts. Start with the Final Reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the National Inquiry into
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Call or email your MP and other elected representatives to ask them to advocate for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This includes pushing for policies and legislation that recognize Indigenous land rights, promote self-determination, and uphold the rights of Indigenous communities to maintain their cultural practices and governance structures.
Demand that lands owned by the Catholic Church be returned to Indigenous Peoples.
Talk to non-Indigenous friends, family and children about the residential “school” system and its ongoing impacts. Challenge those who deny that residential “schools” were harmful to Indigenous communities with facts, respectfully.
Attend Orange Shirt Day events.
Donate to organizations that support residential “school” survivors and their families, like the Orange Shirt Society and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.
Contribute to IndigiNews' September fundraising campaign. hiy hiy! Over 50 cuzzins have helped us raise more than $5,100 so far. Will you help us reach our $6,500 stretch goal?
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