Indigenous
More than 100 people gathered at Vanier College for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, Vanier held a very moving commemoration in honor of Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Over 100 employees and students, most wearing orange shirts, gathered in the outdoor Indigenous Learning Circle, the A'no:wara O'no:wa, to reflect on our history and to renew our commitment to action. Orange Shirt Day is a day to honor the victims and survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities. First of its kind at Vanier, the event will become an annual tradition.
Speakers explained the meaning of this day and shared the story of Phyllis Webstad whose stolen orange shirt has become the symbol of the stolen culture, languages and history of Indigenous people, and a reminder that Every Child Matters. Indigenous students Cyrus Smoke who has designed Vanier’s orange T-shirts for the past three years and Anik LaViolette explained the meaning and importance of Orange Shirt Day for them.
The Reconciliation Song written by Judith M. Doucette, a proud member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaw First Nation Band, and Paul Pike is a Mi'kmaq musician from Western Newfoundland was played then followed by a minute of silence.
Morgane Pacquet, President of the VCSA, spoke about the importance of education in teaching young people about the past and the history of Indigenous people. The event closed with Director General, Benoit Morin, speaking of Vanier’s commitment to honoring the Indigenous Education Protocol, reduce barriers for indigenous students, and promote Indigenous ways of knowing through opportunities to partner with Indigenous communities where possible for education, activities and events at Vanier.
“It was a very beautiful and moving ceremony,” commented many who attended the event.
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