Our Children Our Way Society marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
K’emk’emelay̓ (Vancouver, BC). On September 30, the Our Children Our Way Society marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a solemn, yet critical opportunity for all Canadians to reflect on the devastating legacy of residential schools and the continuing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities.
Equally important, September 30th is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, symbolizing the strength, survival and resilience of our relatives who were forced to attend the barbaric confines of residential schools.
The Our Children Our Way Society stands in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and communities across Turtle Island as we continue to advocate for healing, understanding, and meaningful reparation and reconciliation. We honor our relatives and our little warriors who never returned home.
This year, we encourage all British Columbians – especially those in positions of influence and decision-making – to move beyond being an ally and into actively walking alongside Indigenous people and communities to challenge and dismantle the colonial systems that continue to impact Indigenous families and communities.
Central to this work is a shift toward Indigenous-led processes, where Indigenous communities guide the decisions that directly affect them. Actively walking alongside ensures support for Indigenous-led processes to address the harms of colonialism and dismantle colonial child welfare systems.
Reparation and reconciliation in child and family services means acknowledging the colonial structures we operate within and pushing for meaningful change.
On September 18, the First Nation Leadership Council and the Province of British Columbia signed the Rising to the Challenge Accord. We commend British Columbia on this reconciliatory step. The Accord establishes a renewed relationship between First Nations and the provincial government on which to build a new approach to Indigenous Child and Family well-being.
We invite all British Columbians to reflect on their role in this journey and to join us in making meaningful, lasting change for Indigenous children, youth, young adults, families, and communities. Helpful resources include:
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action
- Honouring Truth and Reconciliation A guide to observing September 30th
The Orange Shirt Society was formed in Williams Lake by the founders of Orange Shirt Day to encourage and support communities to recognize Orange Shirt Day and to support reconciliation events and activities. Our goal is to create awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools through Orange Shirt Day activities, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.
Visit the Orange Shirt Society to learn more about the originator of Orange Shirt Day, Phyllis Webstad.
The Our Children Our Way Secretariat Team uplifts the work and voices of the Indigenous Child & Family Services Directors in BC. As ICFS Agencies and Directors work to improve the well-being of Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities, the Secretariat works to support the Agencies and Directors. Our role is to provide technical support, including: planning, policy analysis, engagement, research, communications, and administrative support.
The Secretariat team brings Indigenous knowledge and wisdom together with experience working in the governance, operations, and delivery of Indigenous child and family services, along with skills in research, evaluation and communications.
The Secretariat Team salutes our readers with this image, excluding our dear colleagues Ky Scott, Charlene Napoleon, Doug Hughes and Marc Woons. Michelle Morning Star Doherty appears under the name of Our Children Our Way Society.
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For further comment, please contact:
Jennifer Chuckry, Executive Director
Our Children Our Way Society