Did you know that September 30 is now officially known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? While many of us still know it as Orange Shirt Day, the day is about much more than wearing an orange shirt. It is a day to honour Residential School Survivors and the children who never came home…..

This week, we are invited to visit the site of a residential school. Very few of the original buildings remain, but the land will always be there. Stand on the site, look out over the land, reflect on its history, and imagine the children who were once there…

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada created an important space for Survivors to share their stories and experiences. By listening to their testimonies, we can learn about the history of residential schools in a deeply personal way. We can hear their voices, feel the emotion behind their words, and begin to understand the experiences that shaped their lives….

Robertson starts off the week by saying, “If you’re not laughing, you’re going to cry,” which was something he heard often in NDN country. His father would say, “When you cry, it’s pain leaving the body,” and goes on to say, “Never stop yourself from crying.”….

This week, we are invited to attend a demonstration or gathering. Unlike Truth and Reconciliation Day, which we can mark on our calendars months in advance, this is about making space in your calendar when an opportunity arises….

Do you know what a powwow really is? This week, Robertson invites us to find a powwow in our community and  attend one. 

Before 1876, powwows were ceremonies that could mark an alliance with other Nations or celebrate a successful  hunt. They typically took place once a year and featured drumming, dancing, feasting and healing. …