This year marks 12 years of grassroots activism through Orange Shirt Day, the fifth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and 10 years since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) final report and calls to action.
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the York community was encouraged to reflect and learn through the theme “Recentring reconciliation: 10 years after the TRC’s final report and calls to action – what is the path forward?” This theme asks community members to reflect on changes they have witnessed since the TRC's publication of the final report and Calls to Action – whether in themselves, in York, or in Canadian society more widely – and to recommit to reconciliation through concrete actions.
Reconciliation is ongoing, requiring patience and commitment to act on our collective responsibility. While more Canadians know – and know more – about Indian residential schools today than in 2015 when the TRC released its final report, many still have a limited awareness of the devastating legacy of residential schools, and the ongoing impact on Indigenous people and communities. We all need to make efforts to comprehend the profound intergenerational impacts of the Indian residential school system.
We hope that you had an opportunity to attend one of the screenings of the Lunch and Learn series put on by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation last week, or that you will be able to attend the Sept. 30 commemorative panel: in person at the Keele Campus, watching the livestreamed panel with others at either the Glendon or Markham campuses, or watching the livestream independently (details and registration).
We ask each of you to contemplate the significance of this day and commit to taking action toward reconciliation, including centring survivor experiences, as it makes sense for you. The University’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website has many resources available to you year-round to further your learning and action. Community members are encouraged to commit to learning more about the legacy of residential schools and the ongoing impacts of colonial practices and policies.
We acknowledge that as an institution, we are still on the long path to reconciliation, and while we attempt to navigate the journey with care and compassion and humility, we may still misstep. We are grateful to the many individuals from whom we have learned and who have offered guidance, including through the Indigenous Framework (2017), the Indigenous Framework Review (2024), the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028, the Smudging and Pipe Ceremony Policy and Procedures and the organizing efforts around the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
We know that this day, as well as its events and messages, may be difficult for many Indigenous members of our community, especially those who are survivors or with close personal or family ties to experiences in the residential schools, and we encourage all community members to treat each other with respect, care and compassion. Support is available for survivors and those affected through the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society at 1-800-721-0066 or through the 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-925-4419. Supports are also available to the York community via the Well-being at York website.
Thank you. Merci. Miigwech.
Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor
Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Vice-President Equity, People & Culture
Audrey Rochette
Assistant Vice-President Indigenous Initiatives