Today we observe Orange Shirt Day (opens in a new window) and the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (opens in a new window) in Canada. This new federal statutory holiday came about through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action (opens in a new window). Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not. The orange shirt symbolizes how the residential school system took away the indigenous identities of its students.

Today serves as a day of reflection so that we can recognize and commemorate the harmful legacy of the residential school system in Canada, as well as honour the survivors of residential schools, their families, their communities, and those who did not return.

Neil Squire is committed to understanding the truths of our shared history, to accept and learn from it and in turn we are determined to contribute to the creation of a better, more inclusive Canada.

The following are some of the actions Neil Squire is taking:

• • All Neil Squire staff across Canada have been provided with a day off on September 30^th so they may reflect on the day and take part in local ceremonies.
  • We will be holding equity and inclusion workshops and training for all Neil Squire staff. Leadership in our organization, including our Board of Directors, will also undertake additional learning workshops with an organization who specializes in this important area.
  • Our leadership team will be developing and acknowledging the territory of First Peoples and taking it within the larger context of genuine and ongoing work to forge real understanding, and to challenge the legacies of colonialism.
  • We have made an ongoing commitment to hire indigenous persons with disabilities to facilitate our programs.
  • We will continue to work closely with Indigenous lead organizations, including the Penticton Indian Band, Gary Tinker Federation, File Hills Tribal Council, Key First Nation, Rupertsland and others to support Indigenous People with disabilities with our services.
  • We will continue to participate in various community and government committees with indigenous representation to improve services and supports for indigenous people.
  • We will continue to undertake each year to have at least 10% of our participants self-identify as indigenous.
  • We proclaim the month of November annually as Indigenous Disability Awareness Month.

If you would like to learn more about Truth and Reconciliation, here are some resources:

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports (opens in a new window)
• Reconciliation Canada (opens in a new window)