Cochrane activities for September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also called Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day honours children who never returned home from Canada’s residential schools, as well as survivors of the system, which aimed to assimilate Indigenous youth and children into European-Canadian culture.
Orange Shirt Day activities – Monday Sep. 30 As a collaboration of a number of agencies in Cochrane, this event will happen at The Station from 12:30 pm to 6 pm Monday Sep. 30.
A collaboration of The Town of Cochrane, Wazin Ichinabi Ti, The Otipemisiwak Government, Route 22 Artist Collective and Alberta Culture Days. This event aims to honor the history of Indigenous peoples and encourage understanding and acceptance. Together, we can learn, grow, and create a more inclusive community. Join us for engaging discussions, art activities, and cultural demonstrations that highlight diversity and promote healing - coming together to acknowledge the past and work towards a better future for all.
Schedule of Events:
Flag Raising & Drumming Ceremony - 12:30-1:00 pm
Tipi Talks & Hide Tanning Displays - 1:00-6:00 pm Engage your senses as you listen, watch, and learn from Elders & Hide Tanners about these traditional practices and their importance to Indigenous culture.
LetterPress Postcards for Truth & Reconciliation - 1:00-6:00pm Learn about this unique artform from artist Michelle Wiebe, its role in the residential school system, and then create a custom themed postcard as a token of truth and reconciliation.
Metis Storytime - 1:00-2:00pm Join us for a tale or two during our Métis storytelling hour. Youth will hear and learn Michif words while interacting with some Métis created items during this time.
Decolonize This! - 2:00-3:00pm Let's talk about Reconcili-Action and ways you can personally begin your journey. Amber Boyd, District Captain for Rocky View Métis District of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, will share some of her personal stories and lead our discussion. This goal is to help bring awareness and facilitate healthy conversations between settlers and indigenous community members.
Bannock, beverages, Indigenous literature and art will be provided for community members to sample, interact with and purchase for the duration of this event.
As in the past three years, there will be an Every Child Matters Walk at Mini Thni (Morley) on Monday September 30. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the memory of children whose lives were severely impacted by residential school. It’s also a great chance to meet our Indigenous neighbours.
Cochrane Public Library Lunch and learn sessions for Truth and Reconciliation Week - Sep.23 to 27
Sep. 23. 11 am to noon, Spray Lake Board Room. Health Related Impacts of the Residential School System.
Speakers Kathy Pompana and Dr. Maureen Lux will discuss the harms caused by the residential school system and the segregated health care system known as Indian Hospitals and their modern-day impacts for Indigenous health. Audience members will come away with an understanding of the link between these colonial systems and how they contributed to mistrust of the health care system.
Sep. 24. 11 am to noon, Spray Lake Board Room. Allyship and Confronting Unconscious Bias
Dr. Cary Miller and residential school Survivor Lila Bruyere will take a hard look at how unconscious bias is still present in societal systems and attitudes today and what can be done to confront and change it. Audience members will come away with knowledge on how to dismantle our biases and support true allyship.
Sep. 25. 11 am to noon, Spray Lake Board Room. Impacts and Addressing Indigenous Identity Fraud
Speakers Michelle Cyca and residential school Survivor Dickie Yuzicapi will examine the issue of Indigenous identity fraud and unpack the practice of “pretendianism” and its harmful impacts. Audience members will come away with an understanding of the reach and impact of identity fraud and what can be done to address it.
Sep. 26. 11 am to noon, Spray Lake Board Room. A Community Perspective of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Speakers Ovide Mercredi and Megan Lewis will discuss the journey of Canada’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the significance of this milestone, and its potential to reshape the Crown-Indigenous relationship. Audience members will come away with knowledge of the progress made and information on how to overcome resistance to the Declaration.
Sep. 27. 11 am to noon, Spray Lake Board Room. How Do We Address the Barriers to Reconciliation?
Dr. Eva Jewell and NCTR Governing Circle member & residential school Survivor Dr. Levinia Brown will shed light on the biggest barriers to Reconciliation, the lack of progress made on the TRC’s Calls to Action, and what Canadians need to do to keep moving forward and enact change. Audience members will come away with an understanding of what is preventing progress and how as individuals we can take responsibility for Reconciliation.
