Today is #OrangeShirtDay2022 and also known as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. A day where we remember all residential school survivors, those who are with us today and those that did not make it.
Let us hope that we learn from history and never repeat the lessons that came from the creation of residential schools including respect for indigenous cultures, that #EveryChildMatters and for inclusion.
My Area's Alternate Director, Phyllis Webstad and her story from residential schools inspired "Orange Shirt Day". To read about her story (and I do so every day), go to: http://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html
There will be events across the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region. In Williams Lake - there will be a flag raising ceremony at Williams Lake City Hall at 8am then an all day event at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds, hosted by the Williams Lake First Nation - click here. I personally will be attending the Flag Raising ceremony at WL City Hall as well as the events at the Williams Lake Stampede Grounds
Meanwhile in Quesnel on the traditional territory on the Lhtako Dene Nation -- Quesnel Councillor and SD28 Board Chair Tony Goulet goes over what will be happening today in Quesnel - click here
Finally -- if you are able, please attend an "Orange Shirt Day" event in your local community. Many of the residential school survivors still with us need support from the non-Indigenous community. Like many, I am still learning about the unspeakable events that took place at residential schools and how Indigenous peoples were treated between the period of the 1870's until the last residential school closed in 1996 and how we can and must do better with our Indigenous brothers' and sisters.... and I will do what I can to build better relationships with the Indigenous peoples in the Cariboo-Chilcotin Region, across BC and indeed across Canada but recognize this will take a lot of time to complete and missteps will be taken in the journey but one that is indeed necessary....
~SF
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