Hi everyone,
September 30, 2023 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and honours survivors of residential schools, their families, communities and those children who never returned home.
This statutory holiday provides an opportunity to commemorate the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools and is an important part of the reconciliation process.
Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30.
Orange Shirt Day is a commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.
Health PEI staff are encouraged to take this opportunity to learn more about the history of residential schools in Canada, listen to the stories of survivors and their families, and reflect on how each of us can play a part in the journey of reconciliation. I also encourage everyone to wear an orange shirt on September 29 and 30 to help spread awareness, because every child matters.
Please send photos of you and your team wearing orange to hpeicomms@ihis.org.
Thanks,
Michael