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:
- Tsartlip
- Tsawout
- Tseycum
- Pauquachin
- Cowichan Tribes
- Wei Wai Kum
- We Wai Kai
- Homalco
- Tsuut’ina
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.
- Familiarize yourself with local First Nations Council and their policies
- Find out what Indigenous Territory you live on and work on and get information on how to properly create a territorial land acknowledgement
- Visit the Orange Shirt Society’s website for more information and resources to support your learning journey
- Read the story of Orange Shirt Day and how it began
- Get involved and take action to support Orange Shirt Day:
- Local events
- Making donations to local First Nation councils
- Educating yourself on Orange Shirt Day
- Wear Orange!
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
Podcasts:
https://indigenouspodcast.trubox.ca/
https://forvi.ca/project/indigenous-voices-vancouver-island-podcast/
Local Councils
About Caslys
For over 20 years, Caslys Consulting Ltd. has taken pride in offering a wide range of high-quality geospatial services for both environmental and natural resource management industries.
Our focus is on interpreting and analyzing data to deliver cost-effective solutions and help our clients make better informed decisions. We specialize in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, information management and application development to meet the needs of both public and private sector clients within Canada and abroad.
As a company, Caslys Consulting combines strong technical skills in our specialized fields with the ability to effectively communicate technical results and complex products to help show our clients how it can be used for meaningful decision making. We also understand the importance of sustainability and take pride in promoting sustainable initiatives and practices to help improve the communities we are working in.
Caslys Consulting Ltd. acknowledges and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations on whose traditional territory the Caslys office is located. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.
National Truth and Reconciliation Day image sources: https://www.childrensfestival.ca/every-child-matters/