This Monday, September 30th, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation where we honour and remember the survivors and victims of Residential Schools.
This year, there are many events you can attend in Saint John and on campus. On Monday, UNB Saint John is holding an in-person commemorative event from 10 am to 12:30 pm in Oland Hall room 103. This event will also be available to attend virtually via live stream. There will be Indigenous speakers talking at this event so make sure to attend!
Additionally, an Indigenous Film Festival is taking place from September 24th to the 26th in Ganong Hall right here on the UNB Saint John campus. Not only are they screening Indigenous films, but after there will be discussions with filmmakers and community leaders. Make sure to catch the final showing tonight!
UNB is also running an orange heart campaign this week. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to pick up an orange heart and display them in their residence or office windows on the campus to honour the lives lost to residential schools and the communities in mourning. The community is also encouraged to bring their orange hearts to the commemorative event detailed in the second paragraph. Orange hearts can be picked up at the Office of the Registrar (Oland hall 132) or Oland hall G08.
“We Are The Warriors” is another screening happening in Saint John, it is free, and it says on the Discover Saint John website that the film, “follows the citizenry of Wells, a population that includes Indigenous Peoples, as they convene to speak, hear each other, and seek consensus. And by inviting Wabanaki voices from across the state to join the conversation, including the mother whose experience ignited the debate, the residents of Wells work to better understand the lasting effects of their colonial past and how it relates to the present day impact of their good intentions.” The screening will take place on September 30th, 11:00 am-1:00 pm. Learn more information about this event here.
If you’re the active type, there is a Healing Walk on September 30th that is happening at 1:00 pm at The Great Canadian Trail at Rockwood Park. This walk serves as a reminder as to how the residential schools continue to influence Indigenous communities throughout Canada, it is free of charge, and it is open to everybody.
It is important that we take the time to remember and reflect on the trauma residential schools caused and continue to cause in Indigenous Communities. These events serve to educate us about the continued impacts of residential schools and how you can be an ally to Indigenous communities.
