Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. If you look out front of the Lacombe County Office, you will see our flags at half-mast in recognition of this day - for the many children who didn't make it home from residential schools and for the survivors of residential schools.
The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to a global conversation on all aspects of residential schools.
It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. Much like we use November 11th to remember our fallen veterans, we should use today as a day to learn about our past and honour the many families and communities who still feel the impacts of residential schools today.
We encourage everyone to take time today to learn about our country's past and to find ways to bring Truth and Reconciliation forward with you - beyond today.
Here are a few links to help:
- https://www.orangeshirtday.org/
- The Sixties Scoop in Canada (CBC) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nmd6HXKXYU
- https://nctr.ca/ (National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation)
- https://www.irsss.ca/
- https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_residential_school_system/