National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR). This year at Algoma University, we will be honouring this significant day on Friday, Sept. 29.
This important day is known to many as Orange Shirt Day, and across our campus communities, we will be wearing our orange shirts out of respect, love and support. This important initiative aims to spread awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of the Indian Residential School system and reinforce the #EveryChildMatters movement. Please find an event brief, linked here.
Please join us for a number of in-person and virtual events that organizations, their employees, and the general public are welcome to participate in. Although all classes are not cancelled on this day, educational activities will take place that allow students to join either in-person or virtually, ensuring an opportunity for all members of our community to engage in learning, reflection and action.
The day will consist of activities across all three campuses which will include in-person and virtual Shingwauk Site Truth Walks (formerly known as “tours”), a Keynote address by Shirley Horn, a virtual film screening of the Canadian Feature Film Run Woman Run which celebrates Resilience & Indigenous Presence in Film followed by a Q and A , a Candlelight vigil on our Sault Ste. Marie campus, partner events and more. Full agendas are linked below, including details on how to join in-person and virtual events.
For students, staff and faculty who wish to pick up their orange shirts on this day, please visit us in the North Wing, near the security desk. Shirts will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis starting at 9 a.m. In Brampton, shirts can be picked up at the Social, Cultural, and Economic Innovation Centre (SCEI Centre), 8 Queen Street, 3rd Floor beginning at 9 a.m.
The presentations, discussions and subject matter can be triggering to many, so please take a moment to review the student and staff mental health and wellbeing supports available below.
Weecheetowin Health Support Services as well as an Elder in Residence will be available on-site all day on our Sault Ste. Marie campus in the Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students Lounge (SH312). In Brampton, Homewood Health will provide supports and is located at 28 Main Street (Student Success and Well Being Office) from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For students in Timmins, please contact your student success office.
“What happened is the truth. It is the truth. And only when you tell the truth can there be reconciliation. You can’t reconcile with someone who lies to you, and that is why we work so hard to tell our stories and to keep them alive […] I know that we are going in the right direction, and that the Creator is guiding us, absolutely, and that we are all needed; everybody is a part of this journey. Together, we make new commitments to the future and this will move us forward.”
– Survivor, Elder and Past-Chancellor Shirley Horn
