The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has designated September 27- October 1 as Reconciliation Week in Canada.
“This is a 5-day national event that will continue the conversations from Every Child Matters. Important conversations including the truths of the Indigenous treaties, First Nation, Métis and Inuit land claims, and the residential schools system. This online event will provide historical workshops, exclusive video content, and activities for students — all supported by artistic and cultural performances by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists”. To register for these events visit the NCTR website: https://nctr.ca/)
National Truth and Reconciliation Day
September 30, 2021 has been declared a Federal holiday to give federally regulated employees a day off to use as an opportunity to reflect and commemorate the legacy of residential schools and honour its survivors. This fulfills one of the 94 recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report. Several provinces, the North West Territories, many municipalities and private companies have also declared it a holiday and will be hosting commemorative events.
September 30 is also Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day invites Canadians to wear orange shirts on September 30th to honour survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. The day grew out of a commemorative gathering and reunion for survivors of St. Joseph Mission Residential School, where survivor Phyllis Webstad (Jack) shared her experiences as a child.
To read Phyllis’ story in her own words, click below.
Trigger warning: The details of Phyllis’s story may be difficult to read.
Phyllis’ Story (https://www.orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story.html)
Each year on September 30th, people from all over Canada are invited to wear orange in honour of Orange Shirt Day and to remind ourselves that “Every Child Matters”.
“The annual Orange Shirt Day on September 30th opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even if they are an adult, from now on.”
(Link to Orange Shirt Day website)
Barnes Management Group
Reconciliation
We understand that reconciliation is a process that requires us to be cognizant of the history and impacts of colonization on Canada’s First People. We commit to working towards truth, justice, forgiveness, healing and reparation. Barnes Management Group (BMG) has worked alongside Indigenous leadership, organizations and communities for twenty years. We have always believed the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) was an excellent framework for reconciliation and applied the principles in our practice approach. Our engagement is always based on respectful relationship building and ensuring prior consent and ownership of information is with the Indigenous community or organization. We select consultants to work on our projects with Indigenous organizations and communities carefully to ensure they espouse the tenets of reconciliation. We are committed to Indigenous People exercising their constitutional rights under section 35 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the reclamation of jurisdiction over child and family services under the federal legislation “An Act respecting First Nation, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families”. We welcome the recent federal legislation “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; and are strong advocates for the recent planning process occurring across Canada to develop “Distinctions Based Health Legislation” with the Federal government, Indigenous leaders, the provinces and territories, to improve access to high-quality, culturally relevant health services. We believe that Indigenous people in Canada have the right to self-determination in all aspects of their lives, including land and treaty rights.
Values and Beliefs
At BMG we approach our work with the following values and beliefs:
We acknowledge that the experience of colonialism and resulting inter-generational trauma requires a systematic approach that addresses the broader social, economic and historical contexts of the communities.
We believe that the well-being of Indigenous people and inequities suffered are rooted in racism, marginalization, and social exclusion.
We subscribe to the approach that Indigenous ways of knowing and being, including the concepts of spirituality, connectedness and reciprocity to the land, self-reliance and self-determination advances health equality and positive outcomes for families and communities.
We understand the critical importance of collaboration and engagement with Indigenous people.
In all aspects of our work, we respect local and traditional knowledge.
We believe in transparency and being held accountable for our work.
Photo: Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-day-truth-reconciliation.html
