This year marks the fourth National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and a renewed call to action. Many more Canadians know about residential schools today than they did in 2015 when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report. However, many are still unaware of the devastating legacy of residential schools and the ongoing impact on Indigenous people and communities. This is especially true for adults and those new to this land who have not attended primary or secondary education in the past decade and who may therefore be learning about this on their own.
We ask each of you to contemplate the significance of this day and commit to taking action, including commemorating the residential school experience and the impact it has had on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. The University’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation website has many resources available to you year-round that may be of assistance on your own learning journey.
We acknowledge that as an institution we are still navigating this journey with care and compassion. We are grateful to the many individuals who were part of the development of the Indigenous Framework (2017) and the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2023-2028.
We hope that you had an opportunity to attend one of the film screenings last week or that you will be able to attend today’s commemorative event taking place at 10 a.m. in person at the Helliwell Centre at Osgoode Hall Law School or online via the website. There will also be a viewing room set up at Glendon Campus at A100 in the Centre of Excellence at 10 a.m. and at Markham Campus in the Presentation Room (2050). Let us all be open to learning more about the legacy of residential schools, as well as other colonial practices and policies, and their ongoing impact on Canada.
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 please be kind to one another. 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. Anushiik.
Rhonda Lenton
President and Vice-Chancellor
Laina Y. Bay-Cheng
Vice-President Equity, People & Culture
Susan D. Dion
Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives