Every Child Matters - A Message from the Department of Animal Biosciences
On Friday, September 30, the Department of Animal Biosciences will join Canadians across the country to commemorate Orange Shirt Day and the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This solemn day is a time for all of us to honour the thousands of children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools along with their families and communities. It is a day to recognize that Every Child Matters.
Many events will be taking place on the U of G campus during Truth and Reconciliation Week. Every Child Matters t-shirts, designed by local Indigenous artist Kaitlin Gallant, are available at the Bookstore with $5 from every shirt donated to an organization that provides direct support to Residential School Survivors and their families. U of G will also be raising the Survivor Flag in front of the University Centre and Johnston Hall will be lit orange as a symbol of solidarity with Indigenous communities. Students, faculty and staff can join the Indigenous Student Centre for a virtual tour of the former Mohawk Residential School on Sept 26th and gather as a community on Sept 30th at 10am for Reflections on Reconciliation in Branion Plaza. Supports throughout the day are also available at the Indigenous Students Centre.
Education is key and we must make a commitment to learn about the terrible atrocities that occurred within the residential school system in Canada. We must also use this knowledge to take action towards reconciliation and support Indigenous communities for the creation of a better future.
To learn more about Indigenous peoples and cultures and the journey to reconciliation visit https://www.orangeshirtday.org/ and https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html.