This year marks the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, Turtle Island. It is an observance of Truth and Reconciliation and an opportunity to engage deeper with the process of reconciliation, recognizing that there is much work to be done. September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, a day that was designated to commemorate the residential school experience, to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families, and to commit to the ongoing process of reconciliation. Of course, none of these activities are limited to September 30. Reconciliation is something for everyone to participate in, it is an ongoing process that invites us to learn about the experiences of the First Peoples of this land and create bridges for reconciliation.
Below is a list of some activities and resources for this Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Sept 27 – Oct 1 – The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting speakers all week to mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. https://www.youtube.com/c/NationalCentreforTruthandReconciliation
September 29, 11 am – 12:30 Pacific Mountain Region Town Hall Zoom Link Marking the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the very special guest, Elder Alberta Billy. PPlease wear Orange for this Town Hall, if you’re able. .
Sept 30, 1:15 -2:15 – Online Service for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
An eccumenical service of reflection and prayer with Oasis United Church, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Penticton United Church and St. Saviour’s Anglican Church. The Service will include a pre-recorded service from the Anglican Diocese of Canada. We will end by participating in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s “Drum for the Children,” a time to virtually join with people around the world to sing and drum to the Secwepemc Honour Song. Wear an orange shirt and bring a drum of some kind, if you have one. To access the service, please contact the church office.
Sept 30, 4 pm (pst) – Online Vigil with Indigenous Ministries and Justice Executive Minister Murray Pruden https://www.facebook.com/IndigenousMinistries
Additional Resources:
Orange Shirt DayAbout Orange Shirt Day: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.htmlPhyllis Webstad’s story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuW4WbekhxY
Drum for the Childrenhttps://tkemlups.ca/drum/On this very first –Canadian–National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc is calling upon people around the world to gather –safely– to drum and sing for the missing children of Indian Residential Schools.
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Actionhttps://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/21-things-you-may-not-have-known-about-the-indian-act-
Resources from the United Church of Canada for other ways to honour children who attended residential schools.https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/honour-children-who-attended-residential-schools?fbclid=IwAR1Sw2JYH5wIadANxlUfDRPl4eWkoCRwT9b11JEbM1Gyvd9ToS7cDIhYfKg
Penticton United Church 
You must be logged in to post a comment.