National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Earlier this year, the bodies of 215 children were found at the site of a former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. Over the next months, thousands of other children were found, and searches continue today.

Thursday, September 30th, 2021 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, originally known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a time for Canadians to acknowledge and learn more about the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools and how to participate in meaningful reconciliation. 

Orange Shirt Day originates from Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc woman who, at the age of six, was taken away from her family and brought to a residential school. The orange shirt name comes from Phyllis’ experience of having her brand new orange shirt taken from her as soon as she arrived at the school.

While the Indigenous-led Orange Shirt Day has been recognized on September 30^th for the past several years in honour of residential school survivors, this will be the first time the date is observed as a statutory holiday.

Keeping in mind the pain and grief that this day holds for Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island, our flag has been lowered to half-mast in commemoration of the innocent children who lost their lives in residential schools. Our Members have been wearing orange shirts and Orange Shirt Day pins on their uniforms/clothing this week to remember Phyllis and all the children who attended residential schools and to symbolize our collective solidarity with Indigenous communities.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service remains committed to Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training. Since April 2020, our Members have been receiving Mental Health First Aid First Nations Training (MHFA-FN), facilitated by Roger Chum and Mary Wabano. Mental Health First Aid First Nations Training is different from the standard Mental Health First Aid, because this training focuses on the Indigenous perspective by providing services in a culturally safe way. This training does not train individuals on how to be a therapist, counsellor, or a mental health professional, but provides tools on early intervention stages and increases knowledge about mental health.

We encourage community members to listen to the stories being shared, honour the Survivors and their families, remember the ones who never made it home, and learn what role you play in understanding the truth in National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.