September 30 has traditionally been a day to honour residential school survivors, read Phyllis Webstad’s compelling story here.
Many dark discoveries have been made about residential schools, the lives lost and their profound impact on communities forever. These children were taken from their families with aim to be distanced from their culture. This cultural connection on future generations has been devastated and these acts continue to have a ripple effect on family, friends, policies and the state of our country.
In recognition of this dark long chapter in our country’s history, September 30 has now been named National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is one of the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. It is a day to honour those directly impacted and an opportunity to alter our systemic biases ingrained in our way of being.
Starting September 12th to September 30th in support of Ojibiiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network, Boulderz will donate $1 for everyone wearing an orange shirt (or bearing any orange item) for an in-person visit or Boulderz social media tag. Ojibiiikaan is an Indigenous-led nonprofit offering land, food and culture based programming in Toronto and the surrounding region and works to strengthen our roots through knowledge exchange and land-based projects.
Wear your orange shirt and join us in honouring residential school survivors, support Indigenous programming and to remind us that Every Child Matters.