Each year, September 30th marks an important day in Canada, known as National Truth and Reconciliation Day or Orange Shirt Day. This day stemmed from the shared residential school experiences of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc woman from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). These experiences were shared on this date because it was the time of year when indigenous children were taken from their homes to residential schools. The end of September now marks a time for anti-racism and anti-bullying within schools and communities across Canada. We at Caslys Consulting honour this day and acknowledge its part in redefining equality and time for settler reflection, acknowledgement, and appreciation for the Indigenous Peoples across Canada as we all work towards reconciliation. This day is one that should be used to embrace First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples by learning, unlearning, engaging and reflecting. Phyllis Webstad’s story: https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/#story Our Caslys team has the privilege and honour to work and live across the Coast Salish, Kwakwaka’wakw and Moh’kinsstis Regions. Specifically, the Nations of: Caslys recognizes these Nations’ stewardship on these lands since time immemorial. We respect the on-going and historical role these Nations have in political, social, environmental and other activities across these jurisdictions. In the spirit of National Truth and Reconciliation Day, our team at Caslys would like to share some educational resources. Settlers and others who are interested in allyship with their local First Nations people will find these resources below as a great place to support the journey to reconciliation. The listed steps are in a suggested order for those at the beginning of this journey. Below are some online resources that can act as continuing steps towards truth and reconciliation. Local Events: https://www.songheesnation.ca/south-island-powwow https://irshdc.ubc.ca/orange-shirt-day/ https://orangeshirtday.org/event/community-gathering/ https://duncan.ca/event/2024-every-child-matters-march/ Educational Resources: https://goodminds.com/blogs/news/2021-group-of-six-free-download-68-page-colouring-and-activity-book https://www.fnsa.ca/resources/ https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/interactive-map https://www.whose.land/en/ https://native-land.ca/ Podcasts: https://www.denetalk.ca/about […]