September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize the tragic legacy of Canada’s residential school system and commemorate Indigenous residential school Survivors, their families, and communities.
The Manitoba Arts Council office will be closed on Thursday in observation of this day. We will reopen on Friday, October 1.
To commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we’ve compiled a list of events and resources on the importance of this day and some of the incredible work done by Indigenous artists on the subject of truth and reconciliation.
Learn
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Calls to Action: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524494530110/1557511412801
National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation
- Residential School History: https://nctr.ca/education/teaching-resources/residential-school-history/
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://nctr.ca/education/teaching-resources/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples/
- Virtual exhibits: https://nctr.ca/exhibits/
- Artivism exhibit: https://www.artivismexhibition.com/national-centre-for-truth-and-reconciliation.html
- Canada Council for the Arts – {Re}conciliation Initiative: https://canadacouncil.ca/initiatives/reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day – Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story in her own words: https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html
Indigenous Curatorial Collective: https://acc-cca.com/about/
CBC – New mural in Selkirk, Man., dedicated to legacy of residential schools: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/selkirk-manitoba-mural-residential-schools-1.5989687
APTN – Art, activism and residential schools part of new exhibits at Canadian Museum for Human Rights: https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/art-activism-and-residential-schools-part-of-new-exhibits-at-canadian-museum-for-human-rights/
Watch
Canada School of Public Service
- Truth and Reconciliation (with the Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair): https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/video/ssontr-eng.aspx
- Reconciliation Through the Arts: https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/video/rta-eng.aspx
Shingwauk Residential School Centre – Residential School Artwork Conversations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSoomWfIhfI
Wawahte: Stories of Residential School Survivors (documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGrJNUCQ-r4
TEDx Talks – Existence as Resistance | Tasha Spillett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjijZGDpXsM
Miyawata Culture Inc. – Shame and Prejudice | Kent Monkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISlp3DBjVA0
Canadian Museum of Human Rights – Picking Up the Pieces: The Making of the Witness Blanket: https://vimeo.com/457804808
Rita Joe Song Project – “The Voices I Gained”: https://nac-cna.ca/en/ritajoesong/the-voice-i-gained
Gord Downie’s The Secret Path: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGd764YU9yc
Listen
CBC Radio – Truth and Reconciliation Commission: how the arts shape our view of history (podcast): https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/schedule-for-wednesday-june-3-2015-1.3097370/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-how-the-arts-shape-our-view-of-history-1.3098175
Historica Canada – Residential Schools by Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/residential-schools-podcast-series
Participate
National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation – Truth and Reconciliation Week events: https://nctr.ca/education/trw/general-public-schedule/
Southern Chiefs Organization, the Rehabilitation Centre for Children & SSCY Health and Wellness Committee – Every Child Matters Ceremony (Winnipeg): www.eventbrite.ca/e/orange-shirt-day-at-sscy-tickets-173666269487
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. – Honour our Ancestors: Honour the Future (Thompson): www.facebook.com/events/570448303997416
Way-Say Healing Centre Inc.: Orange Shirt Day Pow Wow: www.facebook.com/events/198967258830343
60s Scoop Legacy of Canada – Healing Walk for Orange Shirt Day: www.facebook.com/events/529133748451502
NCTR and WAG-Qaumajuq – Survivor Stories and Panel Discussions: https://www.wag.ca/event/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/
Canadian Museum for Human Rights – Responding to Genocide through Art: https://humanrights.ca/event/art-is-action
Manitoba Museum: Orange Shirt Days (Winnipeg): manitobamuseum.ca/event/orange-shirt-days/2021-10-01/
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund: Orange Shirt Day Event: On the path to reconciliation: https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/eventRegistrationServletV2?eventid=2620192&sessionid=1&key=97BBEAA890119666B535B8F606AD245C
Red River College – Truth and Reconciliation Week 2021: https://www.rrc.ca/indigenous/truth-and-reconciliation-week-2021/