National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at York University

York University has a long-standing commitment to access, inclusion, equity and diversity; it is a leader in creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive community on all its campuses. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important day to remind us to pause and reflect on the intergenerational harm that the Residential School systems caused to Indigenous Peoples across the country. It is a time to reflect on the strength and resiliency of Indigenous peoples. Importantly, it is a time for recognizing our shared responsibilities for creating new and better relationships with Indigenous people.

This site provides details about the many ways the university is marking the day. Here we will amplify events and provide resources for the community to consider in taking time to learn and reflect.

We encourage all community members to take a minute of silence on September 30^th to reflect on what steps they will take towards reconciliation.

Download the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Zoom Backgrounds here

Events:

University events

Reclaiming and Rewriting Indigenous Histories of the Western Hemisphere (the Americas)
- Lecture by Dr. Paulette Steeves with reception to follow.
- Thursday, September 29, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Congregation Room, 4^th Floor, 2^nd Student Centre

Reflecting on the Legacies of Residential Schools: What it means for our present and our futures
Friday, September 30, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Virtual Panel Event

LIVE STREAM: Reclaiming and Rewriting Indigenous Histories of the Western Hemisphere (the Americas)

September 29, 2022, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

LIVE STREAM: Reflecting on the Legacies of Residential Schools: What it means for our present and our futures

September 30, 2022, 11:00am - 12:30pm

Resources

Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission findings (conclusions de la Commission de Vérité et Réconciliation du Canada) and 94 Calls to Action (Appels à l’action).
Read the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report (le rapport final de l’Enquête nationale sur les femmes et les filles autochtones disparues et assassinées), the 231 Calls for Justice (Les appels à la justice) and the recently released 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People that responds to the final report. A 2022 Progress Report is now available.
Read the Spirit Bear Plan (Le Plan de Spirit Bear) from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
Universities Canada Principles on Indigenous Education (Les universités canadiennes principes en matière d’éducation des Autochtones)
The Assembly of First Nations: It’s Our Time Toolkit
Orange Shirt Society
Lighting the Fire: Experiences of Indigenous Faculty in Ontario Universities
What we heard: Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19: Public Health Agency of Canada’s companion report https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/corporate/publications/chief-public-health-officer-reports-state-public-health-canada/from-risk-resilience-equity-approach-covid-19/indigenous-peoples-covid-19-report.html (Français: Ce que nous avons entendu : peuples autochtones & COVID-19 : rapport complémentaire de l'Agence de la santé publique du Canada https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/organisation/publications/rapports-etat-sante-publique-canada-administrateur-chef-sante-publique/du-risque-resilience-approche-equite-covid-19/rapport-peuples-autochtones-covid-19.html)

Decolonizing the Academy Course offered by York’s Teaching Commons
Take a course at York University – there are many that have an Indigenous focus (search “Indigenous” in the subject here) and read the Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action.
First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv): Nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ An Introduction to Understanding Indigenous Perspectives in Canada. In partnership with BMO and Reconciliation Education, FNUniv is bringing this introductory eLearning opportunity to organizations and communities across Canada. The eLearning course is a free public resource for all Canadians and is available June 1 to July 15 in recognition of National Indigenous History Month. It is an hour-long overview.
Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education A 6-Week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) https://pdce.educ.ubc.ca/reconciliation/
University of Alberta course: Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson massive open online course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous Peoples today from a historical and critical perspective, highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free.

Donate to Indigenous scholarships or an Indigenous-led organization.
Write to elected representatives.
Attend Indigenous community events with respect and openness.
Read books, watch films or television programs and view art by Indigenous Peoples.
- Toronto Public Library “Read Indigenous” List
- National Film Board of Canada’s Indigenous Cinema Collection
- Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
- Art Gallery of Ontario Indigenous Collection
- CBC Gem Indigenous Stories Collection

Support is available for survivors and those affected through the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 or on the 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.
York University’s Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education serves all York community members by empowering survivors and providing access to needed supports. The Centre staff are available 24 hours a day at 416-736-5211
There are a variety of supports available to the York community listed on the Mental Health and Wellness site and through the Employee and Family Assistance Program.

York Bookstore

We invite everyone to join the journey toward education and reconciliation by buying an orange shirt. The York University Bookstore is a committed partner of the Orange Shirt Society, with proceeds from the sale of Orange shirts .

Truth and Reconciliation Collection