Since 2021, September 30 has been recognized as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day is dedicated to honouring the children of residential schools, including those who never returned home, survivors, their families and communities. Part of Seneca Polytechnic’s path towards reconciliation requires a commemoration of this painful history and the ongoing legacy residential schools have on Indigenous communities.
September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day, which acknowledges the legacy of the residential school system while honouring the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools across Canada. This movement was developed by Phyllis Webstad, a survivor of residential schools.
Under the call and responsibility to ensure Every Child Matters, and as part of our collective commitment to ensure Indigenous children and survivors of residential schools are cared for, we encourage all Seneca students and employees to learn more about the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.
We hope you will join us by wearing an orange shirt, attending the events that we have listed below, and exploring the resources and initiatives that we have curated.
Date: Monday, Sept. 30
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: The Meeting Place, Level 3, CITE (Building K), Newnham Campus (watch livestream)
Join the Seneca Polytechnic community for a ceremony of commemoration that will start at The Meeting Place and conclude at Odeyto.
From 2 to 2:30 p.m., this event will also be livestreamed at:
Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in Odeyto (Room E1401). Please join First Peoples@Seneca and President Agnew for reflection and refreshments in this important space.
Connie Walker has been at the forefront of covering Indigenous stories for over 20 years. Her award-winning investigations into the crisis of violence in Indigenous communities and the legacy of residential schools help audiences make the connections required to better understand the truth and impact of our colonial history.
Walker’s powerful presentation draws on her Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning podcast to help audiences understand why it’s crucial to uncover the truth before we can begin talking about meaningful reconciliation.
Listen to Connie Walker's podcast, Stolen, here.
All are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served.
Email the Office for Reconciliation and Inclusion for accessibility needs.
Join the SSF to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day as they host a special livestream of Connie Walker’s address through satellite events at King, Markham and Seneca@York campuses.
Named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Connie Walker has spent over two decades shedding light on often overlooked Indigenous stories. A Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning investigative journalist, her work has exposed the crisis of violence in Indigenous communities and the devastating impacts of inter-generational trauma stemming from Indian Residential Schools. A powerful storyteller, Walker’s presentations help audiences better understand their role in reconciliation and provide valuable tips for meaningful inclusion in the workplace.
A member of the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, Walker is the host of the acclaimed podcast Stolen from Gimlet Media and Spotify Studios. Its second season, “Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s”, is considered one of the most comprehensive investigations into a single residential school. It exposed systemic abuse that permeated St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan for decades and preserved the testimonies of survivors through a modern-day oral history project.
Learn more about Connie Walker.
Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Week (Sept. 23 to 27) with Student Services by discussing the impact of residential schools and the importance of healing while making your own medicine bag. Learn the significance of carrying medicine bags for diverse Indigenous communities and set intentions for reconciliation.
Registration is required, as limited space is available.
All Seneca students are welcome.
King Campus
Markham Campus
Newnham Campus
Seneca@York Campus
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25
Time: noon to 2 p.m.
Location: The Service Hub Lounge, Building D, Newnham Campus
Drop by for a sustainable clothing swap in time for Orange Shirt Day. Bring a gently used orange shirt to donate or swap to commemorate September 30. All adult- and children-sized shirts are accepted.
Collections will be open on:
The swap will be open on Wednesday, Sept. 25, noon to 2 p.m.
All members of the Seneca community are welcome to attend.
Join Athletics & Recreation for a beading activity to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. Access resources and discuss the history of residential schools and actions needed for reconciliation as you craft your own orange pin to wear on September 30.
Limited kits are available and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event is for students only.
Stop by the cafeteria at Newnham Campus from Sept. 25 to 30 to celebrate Indigenous culture through cuisine. With specialized training on Indigenous culinary techniques, Seneca Dining Services is able to offer a special menu available for purchase. All proceeds from the purchases will go toward the Peggy Pitawanakwat Indigenous Bursary.
The Campus Store is selling orange t-shirts at all campuses and online from Sept. 23 to 30.
This year's shirt features artwork from Saulteaux Métis artist, Madison Pascal. Proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go toward survivors of residential schools.
Supporting Indigenous students pursuing postsecondary education at Seneca is crucial to ensuring equitable access to funding and opportunities. Help support the Peggy Pitawanakwat Indigenous Bursary here.
Seneca Libraries have a selection of online educational resources to help you learn more about the history of residential schools in Canada, as well as truth and reconciliation. Review the suggested books and films to build more awareness on the significance of September 30, you are also welcome to share resources with your peers and colleagues.
Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line: Call 1-866-925-4419 (open 24/7)
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