PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation said in a statement:

“Today, as we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, we confront the lasting impacts of the residential school system for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada. We come together to remember the children who were stolen from their communities, and those whose lives were stolen from them at these so-called schools. We honour the Survivors, many of whom suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. We listen to their truths, and we reiterate our commitment to building a better future for Indigenous Peoples and for everyone in Canada.

“Between 1867 and 1998, over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools, where they were banned from speaking their languages and practising their cultures and traditions. As communities continue searching for the children who never came home, the Government of Canada will be there every step of the way to provide them with the resources they need to fully uncover the truth of what happened at residential schools, honour the children who did not return, and support communities as they continue on their healing journeys.

“We must never forget the past and the injustices committed against Indigenous Peoples at residential schools, as well as the intergenerational trauma that remains today. Right now, with denialism sadly on the rise, uncovering the whole truth is more important than ever. That is why we appointed the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools, Kimberly Murray, to help facilitate a search process with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis that will respect their needs and concerns as we work together to uncover and uphold the truth of what happened at residential schools.

“Today, I encourage everyone to wear orange in recognition that every child matters and to participate in Indigenous-led events to recognize and reflect on the ongoing legacy of the residential school system. Reconciliation is not the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples – it is the responsibility of all of us. It’s our responsibility to listen to, learn from, and give space to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis voices and stories, and face the truth of our past to build a fairer, more equitable, and more inclusive Canada for the generations to come.”

If you need someone to talk to, The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers support to all Indigenous Peoples. Counsellors are available by phone or online chat. This service is available in English and French, and, upon request, in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca. The National Residential School Crisis Line also offers emotional support and crisis referral services for residential school Survivors and their families. Call the toll-free Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

PREMIER David Eby and Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, issued the following statement on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day:

“Today in B.C. and throughout Canada, we recognize the survivors and intergenerational survivors of Indian Residential Schools. We also recognize survivors of Indian Day Schools, Indian Hospitals and the Sixties Scoop. We remember the children who never came home.

“This year, with the unanimous support of all parties in the legislature, B.C. enshrined the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation into provincial law. On this new statutory day of commemoration, people throughout the province come together to honour the strength, resilience and healing journeys of survivors and their families.

“Generations of Indigenous people were removed from their homes and communities and forced to attend these horrific institutions.

“We acknowledge the courage and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors who continue to share their truth and who have informed ongoing research into the history and immense harm caused by these institutions.

“Their work requires all of us to recognize the truth of the residential school system as part of Canada’s national history and take steps to address its painful legacy.

“We have a solemn responsibility to listen to survivors, deepen our understanding of B.C.’s and Canada’s colonial histories, and address the systemic inequities that First Nations, Métis and Inuit people continue to experience.

“Orange Shirt Day would not exist without the strength and courage of the campaign’s founder, Phyllis Webstad. Her story of residential school survival, as well as those shared by Orange Shirt Day Victoria co-founder Eddy Charlie, the late Rick Gilbert, former Chief of Williams Lake First Nation, and many others, sparked a national conversation on the true history of this country.

“On this 10th anniversary of Orange Shirt Day, we encourage everyone to learn about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to have discussions about how we can all take action to advance reconciliation. We also encourage people to read, watch or listen to Indigenous-created content, participate in a local in-person or virtual event, and wear orange to show that ‘every child matters.’

“Survivor testimonies have helped inform continued research and investigations at former residential school sites. Since the news of Le Estcwicwéy̓ by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc in 2021, First Nations in B.C. continue to seek and document the truth. We acknowledge findings have been publicly shared by Williams Lake, Tseshaht, shíshálh, and Stó:lō First Nations.

“In the ongoing journey of reconciliation, B.C. is working with First Nations to address concerns raised by communities, and in an interim report this year by Canada’s Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools.

“Let us remember and honour the past. By working together in action towards reconciliation, we can help bring respect where there has been indignity, and healing where there has been pain. We must do this work not only for the children of today but also for generations to come.”

Support services are available:

A National Indian Residential School crisis line has been set up to provide support for former residential school students and others affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1 866 925-4419.

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society:

* Crisis services for Indigenous Peoples in B.C. are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free throughout the province at 1 800 588-8717.

* Alternatively, individuals can call direct into the adult/Elders line at 250 723-4050 or the children/youth line at 250 723-2040.

* For information, visit: http://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com

Métis Crisis Line:

* A service provided by Métis Nation British Columbia is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll-free across the province at 1 833 638-4722.

 

CONSERVATIVE Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement:

“For too long, the mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples in Canada has gone ignored and unresolved. The unacceptable actions of Canadian governments brought lasting suffering to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

“Laws were passed that attacked their ways of life. Government programs targeted their culture for destruction and denied their Rights and freedoms. Nowhere was this monstrous overreach felt more painfully than through the residential school system.

“On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, our country takes time to reflect on these injustices and their ongoing impacts and work towards true healing. On a day dedicated to honouring residential school survivors and those who continue to be impacted by the pain they inflicted, we acknowledge that every child matters.

“In the ongoing work of reconciliation, it is time to move beyond words. It is time to pursue meaningful, concrete solutions that remove the federal government gatekeepers so Indigenous peoples can determine their own futures, strengthen their languages, cultures, and unique ways of life, and continue building stronger, more prosperous Indigenous Nations and a brighter future for Canada.

“The path of truth and reconciliation is long – but together, as we confront the harsh reality of our past – we can begin to mend what has been broken and find true reconciliation.”

 

FEDERAL NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made the following statement:

“Today, Canadians are pausing to reflect on the country’s painful history and the ongoing impacts of residential schools. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, New Democrats honour the children who never returned home, Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, and reaffirm our belief that every child matters.

“While communities continue the search for children who were lost, the consequences of Canada’s actions are still being experienced today: First Nations, Inuit and Métis children are more likely to be in foster care, experience higher rates of poverty and food insecurity, and continue to be the victims of systemic racism. There are still 28 long-term boil water advisories in effect in 26 communities, and progress on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples continues to be slow. Sadly, Indigenous women and girls go missing and murdered at a record rate, and governments are too slow to respond. We need to listen to their calls to end this ongoing genocide.

“Canadians should use today as an opportunity to learn about the history and injustices of the residential school system, and we recognize the courage and hard work that Elders, Survivors and other Indigenous leaders are doing to share their stories and experiences. Only by confronting this history can we commit to a future where all children can prosper.

“First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and families deserve so much better from all levels of government, and it’s incumbent on all of us to keep fighting for healing and justice. Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, New Democrats reaffirm our dedication to improving the lives and well-being of all Indigenous children and families in equal partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.”

 

 

THE City of Vancouver said in a statement:

 

THE Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) said in a statement:

“Today marks the first time BC will join the federal government in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) reminds the BC public that September 30^th is not a celebratory holiday, but a day for reflection, education, open dialogue, and action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s findings and 94 Calls to Action.

“UBCIC invites the public to stand in solidarity with First Nations, survivors and inter-generational survivors who have shared devastating truths about the atrocities committed by the church and government of Canada in Indian Residential Schools across the country, and their counterparts in Indian Boarding Schools south of the border. Residential schools were a tool of assimilation and colonization and were directly connected to the institutionalized theft of unceded First Nations land and resources. For too long First Nations’ voices have been met with denial, skepticism, belittlement and silence. We encourage the public to come together with compassion and open-heartedness; we call on you to learn the truth about Canada’s racist and genocidal origins on stolen First Nations’ land and to understand the tremendous significance this day holds for First Nations communities, survivors and their families who continue to live with the traumas inflicted at Indian Residential Schools and other violent institutions.

“We raise our hands to the Sto:lo Nation, the most recent community to share harrowing results of investigations into missing children at former Indian Residential Schools, which concluded that at least 158 First Nations children died at three Residential Schools and an Indian hospital.

“To learn more about the history of Indian Residential Schools and truth and reconciliation, see the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website. For a list of events taking place and ways you can support click here.

“We understand today may be particularly triggering to survivors, veterans, and intergenerational survivors.”

To access mental health supports, see below:

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line and On-line: 
Counselling Service offers mental health counselling and crisis intervention to Indigenous people across Canada. 
Toll-Free: 1-855-242-3310 
http://www.hopeforwellness.ca  

Indian Residential School Survivors Society: 
Toll-free: 1-800-721-0066  

KUU-US Crisis Line: 
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-8717 
(First Nations and Indigenous specific) 
310– Mental Health: 310-6789 (no area code) 
Suicide Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433

 

THE BC Federation of Labour released the following statement:

“Today, the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is also the tenth Orange Shirt Day — originating from a story shared by Phyllis Webstad of the Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation, whose clothing, including a beloved orange shirt, was confiscated when she arrived at residential school.

“Today we honour the memories of the Indigenous children whose lives were lost to the residential school system, and the grief of the survivors, their families and their communities. We lift up as well the important, painful work being done by First Nations to confirm the truths they’ve known in their communities for so long, and to honour the children who didn’t make it home.

“This is an important occasion for all of us to reflect on how that legacy endures in today’s structures, the role we play in them and how we can transform them on the path to reconciliation. The BC labour movement has taken this work on through our Reconciliation Plan Framework, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Indigenous workers representatives and caucus, and we look forward to progressing through the plan’s next phases over the coming years.

“With this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation being for the first time a provincial statutory holiday, thousands of families will now have a new opportunity to reflect, learn and take action toward reconciliation. And action is needed. There are still those who deny, downplay and disparage. We will not let them roll back the progress we’ve made together. Reconciliation requires solidarity, and solidarity requires reconciliation.

“One simple action we all can take is to attend one of the many events happening in communities across our province as well as online. In addition, we can donate to the Orange Shirt Society directly by sending an e-transfer to donations@orangeshirtday.org or to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society at www.irsss.ca.

“BC unions and our members are honoured to join people throughout this province and our country on this day of reflection and learning. And we are committed to working year-round in pursuit of meaningful, lasting reconciliation.

“If you are a residential school survivor or family member and require emotional support, there is a 24-hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.”