The 雅伎著 community stands together to observe the and . Both honour and remember the thousands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children who never returned home from the residential school system, survivors of both residential and day schools, their families, and communities, as well as the intergenerational impacts of the schools. September 30 reminds all individuals who live and study across Canada that there were, and still are, systemic policies that attempted, and attempt, to erase Indigenous identities, languages, and cultures. At the same time, Sept. 30 also honours Indigenous resilience.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada’s (TRC) report. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was created in response to Call to Action #80 of the 94 calls issued by the TRC.
The call to wear orange is a powerful reminder of the commitment behind the words “Every Child Matters.” In 2013, the Orange Shirt Day movement began, inspired by the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old child who had her new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, taken away on her first day at a B.C. residential school.
The university, its campuses, research stations, and labs are situated on lands that are part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8, and the homeland of the Métis. In the spirit of these agreements, the university upholds its commitment to working and living in good relation with each other, respecting Indigenous Peoples and Nations who, through treaty processes, generously agreed to share these lands with those who came to these lands from afar.
Earlier this month, we marked a new era for the 雅伎著 with the official raising of the Treaty 6 and Métis flags, which now fly in the plaza outside of University Commons. Representatives of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, members of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, government representatives, and university community members were on hand for the milestone event.
These two flags fly alongside the flags of Canada and Alberta, reminding us of our shared history and reaffirming the university’s commitment to a joint future — where the contributions of Indigenous Peoples, knowledge systems, and communities are visibly recognized as an integral part of the campus community. The flag raising is another step on the university’s journey toward a thoughtful, respectful, meaningful, and sustainable response to the Calls to Action issued by the TRC.
You can visit the TRC Report to Community Dashboard for updates on the U of A’s progress on the Calls to Action issued by the TRC. The university is deeply committed to reconciliation and Indigenous initiatives. You will find the vision and Indigenous-led direction of Braiding Past, Present, and Future, the university’s Indigenous strategic plan, woven throughout all core university strategies. Florence Glanfield, vice-provost (Indigenous Programming & Research), has just released an Interim Report Card on the implementation of Braiding Past, Present, and Future, and I encourage everyone to read it. I am also pleased to share that Braiding Past, Present, and Future is now available in .
Several events are taking place at North Campus, Augustana, and Campus Saint-Jean, which invite us to listen, learn, reflect, and recognize the resilience of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. First Peoples’ House is leading Orange Shirt Day activities on North Campus. If you are at Augustana Campus, people are welcome to visit the memorial installation. Just a few days ago, it held its first Indigenous Speaker Series event of the season, featuring Crystal Gail Fraser, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Native Studies. On Sept. 24, Campus Saint-Jean marked the official unveiling of the Indigenous Room, a warm and welcoming space designed by, and created for, Indigenous peoples’ use.
In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the 雅伎著 will close for regular operations and will not hold classes on Sept. 30.
I encourage everyone to wear orange on Sept. 30 and also on Oct. 1 when we return to campus to demonstrate that we remember the importance of truth and are united on the journey to reconciliation and healing.
Bill Flanagan
President and vice-chancellor