Today the Wilderness Committee is acknowledging the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, remembering and honoring the victims and survivors of the Canadian residential school system.

We encourage everyone to reflect on the legacy of the residential school system and all forms of colonialism here in Canada. We all have a responsibility to understand systemic racism and a role to play in challenging colonialism.

Also known as Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is being commemorated with events all over the country. Please find one near you by searching “Truth and Reconciliation Day Event + (your town or city)” and take some time today to show up at an event and stand with survivors and Indigenous communities.

Here are some additional things you can do this weekend:

Support survivors

If you’re in a position to support survivors directly, please make a donation to and organization that supports Residential School Survivors, including:

• Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund 
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society
• Legacy of Hope Foundation  

Learn whose lands you are on

If you aren’t sure already whose territory you live on, take some time today to find out. Resources to help determine whose land you’re on and which areas are covered by which treaties include:

• Whose land
• The Moccasin Identifier, Treaties
• Ontario First Nations maps

Read the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Please also take some time to familiarize or re-familiarize yourself with the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions 94 Calls to Action.

Or order the booklet. 
 

The Wilderness Committee honours all those impacted by the Canadian residential school system, and commits to doing our part to decolonize our work and challenge systemic racism here.