National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, on Sept. 30, honours the children who never returned home, survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. York University will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by offering events and resources throughout the month for its community members to learn about the history of residential schools in Canada and the lasting impacts on Indigenous community members today.
This year, the York community is encouraged to reflect and learn through the theme “Engaging in a Reconciliation Journey: Learning Through Various Forms of Media.” A selection of Indigenous films will be available for viewing online and at a series of in-person film screenings being hosted at both the Keele and Glendon campuses from Monday, Sept. 18 to Wednesday, Sept. 27.
Film screenings will close with a hybrid community panel event featuring the voices of staff reflecting on their learning journey, on Thursday, Sept. 28. Full event details below, as well as information about Orange Shirt Day.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Film Screenings
Dates: Monday, Sept. 18 to Wednesday, Sept. 27
There will be seven film screenings open to community members in several locations on the Keele and Glendon campuses. Visit National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Film Screenings to RSVP.
These events are in-person only; however, all films are available online through the University Libraries’ collection or are publicly available and can be accessed here. The list of films include:
Stolen Children: Truth and Reconciliation
Date: Monday, Sept. 18
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Sound & Moving Image Library, Scott Library
We Were Children
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 19
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Paul Delaney Gallery, 320 Bethune College
My Auntie Survived Residential School
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 20
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Sound & Moving Image Library, Scott Library
Indian Horse
Date: Thursday, Sept. 21
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: A100 York Hall, Glendon Campus
Honour to Murray Sinclair & Second Stories: It Had to be Done
Date: Monday, Sept. 25
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: TBD
Muffins for Granny
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 26
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Junior Common Room, 012G Winters College
Truth and Reconciliation: The Legacy of Residential Schools in Canada & Stolen Children: Residential School Survivors Speak Out
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 27
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Sound & Moving Image Library, Scott Library
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at York
Date: Thursday, Sept. 28
Time: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: 1014 Helliwell Centre, Osgoode Hall Law School (followed by a visit to nearby Skennen’kó:wa Gamig)
Format: Hybrid (in-person and YouTube live stream)
RSVP: president.apps01.yorku.ca/forms/view.php?id=282358
A hybrid event, National Day for Truth & Reconciliation at York University Speaker Reflections will be moderated by Susan Dion, associate vice-president, Indigenous initiatives, and feature the voices of staff reflecting on their learning journey through engaging in various forms of media.
Participants will be offered a tobacco tie upon entering the panel event and will be invited to offer it to the ceremonial fire afterwards at Skennen’kó:wa Gamig. Light refreshments will be available after the event. The panel will be live-streamed online and recorded for all community members to participate remotely.
Orange Shirt Day
Official 2023 “Every Child Matters” orange T-shirts are available at the York University Bookstore. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, familial and communal intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.”
To learn more, including accessing resources, films, stories, Zoom backgrounds and event information, visit York’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website.
Original article posted in the September 10, 2023 issue of Yfile
