In my community, to recognize and partake in ongoing reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and settlers, local school children designed quilt squares which were knitted together and displayed in solidarity.
If you're unfamiliar with this growing Canadian tradition, watch this CBC Kids video featuring the founder of Orange Shirt Day, elder and author Phyllis Webstad. Confronting racism, her story and growing activism has changed our country for the better.
Thanks for the reminder that it's the right day to take my orange short off its hanger. What was done to First Nations families is a heartbreaking part of Canadian history.
ReplyDeleteIt's harrowing history.
DeleteI explained to my grandson what was done in the past to indigenous children. September 30th is the day the children were taken. It is a black stain on our country and I am thankful that there was a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and I am thankful we are trying to make amends.
ReplyDeleteDitto. I hope our current actions will change the lives of our children and grandchildren for the better.
DeleteCodex: Didn't realize it had become a public holiday. Just remembrance or laws attached?
ReplyDeleteRemembrance...most of the recommendations from 2015's truth and reconciliation commission are still unfulfilled.
DeleteCodex: I'm cynical. It will be remembered as acknowledgement, beyond that...
DeleteI hadn’t quite remembered but I haven’t been anywhere to wear my orange shirt.
ReplyDeleteI like to wear on other days too.
DeleteA nice reminder of the importance of the day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sir.
DeleteThat is brilliant. I had never heard of this day but shall remember now, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and for your promise to remember.
DeleteWe should have such a Day in America, but with current Leadership that would be a Pipe Dream for sure. My Dad was Indigenous and The Son's Girlfriend is Navajo, Tribal People in both of our Countries, well, in many other Nations too, have had a particularly brutal time of it thruout History, so some reconciliation from those who made it that way for them all is at least a step in the right direction. My Relatives on the Reservation still live in abject poverty and receive an atrocious excuse of an Education in the Indian Schools. I'm so Thankful my Dad was Military, Married my Mom when he visited her Country, and chose not to return to the Rez so that we would have more opportunities and a better Life. It was probably harder on him than I ever imagined, I was 16 before I even saw another Native American off the Reservation, so my Dad was always the only one of his Culture anywhere we ever went. I can't even imagine the Isolation and how intimidating that must have been. There were places we weren't allowed to live becoz of him being an Indian so we'd usually live in Black Neighborhoods and I must say we were treated so well by the Black Community. My Dad's Military Unit for Years was almost all Minorities, usually Black G.I.'s so all of his Friends were people of Color who were more accepting of his Ethnicity.
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you thank you for sharing this. It will help more people gain perspective.
DeleteCanada is so damn thoughtful and empathetic.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, that impulse exists here...I hope we aren't losing it.
Delete...when life gives you scraps, make quilts.
ReplyDelete