Join Us for the Sunrise Ceremony in person at Portage College Lac La Biche, or on Youtube
We encourage people to review the many resources on this web page.
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots 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.
Supports for Survivors
If you are a survivor, or know a Survivor who needs emotional support, a national crisis line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Residential School Survivor Support Line: 1-866-925-4419
Additional Resources
Be sure to watch on your local community messenger boards for local events to attend.
Other ways that you can participate:
- Wear an Orange shirt in honor of Orange Shirt Day. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Canada.ca
- Commit to creating safer places for ongoing dialogue between indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
- Recognize that some truths will be uncomfortable. Show consideration by being willing to listen to those who share stories.
- Challenge yourself to learn more by reading information we have gathered here in these dropdowns.
- Read or refresh your memory of the 94 Calls to Action from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
- Participate in events that are being hosted around the communities:
- Portage College’s Lac La Biche Campus welcomes you to a morning of reflection and community connection, beginning with a breakfast followed by opening remarks, guest speakers, and a healing dance performance. Afterward, participants will take part in an ‘Every Child Matters’ walk, starting at the main entrance and continuing to the Bold Centre – Community Hall. There, a guest speaker will share their stories, followed by a community lunch. Visit this site for times.
- “Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement is hosting a walk and Gathering on September 30th from 4-7 p.m. See Facebook Link.
- Elk Point Long Term Care Facility is hosting a Pipe Ceremony followed by Tea, Coffee and Snacks. There will be Listen & Learn with Elders, an Honour Walk and a free lunch. If you have any questions, please contact: kimberly.hudy@ahs.ca or brenda-Anne.HaireKillam@albertahealthservices.ca
- Public Legal education – Turtle Island Workshop Series – Indigenous Peoples, Colonialism, & Reconciliation, September 29 & 30th: Public Legal Education – Turtle Island Series
- Metis Crossing is hosting an event Truth and Reconciliation Event – Métis Crossing (metiscrossing.com)
- Talking Rock Tours Talking Rock Tours – Alberta Discovery Tours
- Fort Edmonton Park National Day of Truth & Reconciliation Event Schedule
- Tour the Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art and Artifacts Explore Fascinating Exhibits at Portage College Museum | Uncover History
- Masters of Indigenous Art Exhibition at Bear Claw Gallery in Edmonton – Bearclaw Gallery
- Every child matters Walk/Run Indigenous Runner | Red Trail Running
- Virtual sessions from National Truth and Reconciliation lunch and learn webinars Lunch and Learns – Truth and Reconciliation Week (nctr.ca)
- ALIGN Association of Community Services – Ways to Honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Books:
- Phil Fontaine, AiméeCraft. A Knock at the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 2015.
- R. Miller. Shingwauk’s Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996.
- John Milloy. A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System, 1879-1896. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 1999.
- Elizabeth Graham. The Mush Hole: Life at Two Indian Residential Schools. HefflePublishing, 1997.
For more book options, visit:
Memoirs:
- Arthur Bear Chief. My Decade at Old Sun, My Lifetime of Hell.https://www.aupress.ca/books/120260-my-decade-at-old-sun-my-lifetime-of-hell/
- Edmund Metatawabin. Up Ghost River: A Chief’s Journey Through The Turbulent Waters
- Basil Johnston. Indian School Days
- WabKinew. The Reason We Walk
- Joseph Merasty. The Education of Augie Merasty: A Residential School Memoir
- Bev Sellars. They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School
- Theodore Fontaine. Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir
- Russell Moses, Columnist for Ottawa Citizen. “Moses: In residential school, we were treated as sub-human, and hunger was never absent.”
- We Were Children (2012)
- Where the Spirit Lives (1989)
- Christmas at Moose Factory (1971)
- The Secret Path (2016)
- Wawahte: Stories of Residential School Survivors (2016)
- Indian Horse (2018) Available on Netflix
- The Chanie Wenjack Heritage Minute
- For more films and documentaries please go to:National Film Board Residential Schools Video ListVimeo Residential Schools Video List
- CBC’s Radio-Canada CURIO.ca Resources:https://curio.ca/en/collection/beyond-94-truth-and-reconciliation-in-canada-2586/https://curio.ca/en/collection/residential-schools-a-sad-chapter-in-canadian-history-2027/https://curio.ca/en/collection/aboriginal-education-then-and-now-issues-controversies-and-concerns-1737/
Sunrise Ceremony 2024
Portage College observed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This day allowed students, staff, faculty, and community to learn more about residential schools’ history and ongoing consequences.
Sunrise Ceremony 2023
Portage College observed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29th.
This day allowed students, staff, faculty, and community to learn more about residential schools’ history and ongoing consequences. It’s important to remember and honour those who never returned home after attending residential schools and the survivors and their families who carry the burden of this painful part of our shared history.
Sunrise Ceremony 2022
Portage College hosted a traditional Sunrise Ceremony at 7:25 am on Friday, September 30th, 2022 in honour of all the children who never returned home after attending residential schools; and the survivors who remain.
Sunrise Ceremony- 2021
It’s important to remember and honour those who never returned home after attending residential school and the survivors and their families who carry the burden of this painful part of our shared history.
Please read the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Portage College press release.