Every Child Matter Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day | 2023

On September 29, 2023, UCalgary’s Office of Indigenous Engagement, in partnership with Calgary Public Library, will honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada / Orange Shirt Day with special events held on campus and at Central Library.   

The events are intended to raise awareness about the impact and legacy of the Indian Residential School System in Canada and bring people together in the spirit of reconciliation.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada / Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity to learn about the history of Residential Schools, intergenerational trauma and Indigenous resilience. This day aligns with the time of year when Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their homes to attend Residential Schools. Many did not return home, many were traumatized for life and some have been brave enough to share their stories. Through the acknowledgement of truth and increased awareness, we aspire to become a country where “Every Child Matters.”


Cadmus Delorme Presentation

Date: Sept. 29
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. MST
Location: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary, and livestreamed  

Cadmus Delorme, a Cree and Saulteaux and former chief of Cowessess First Nation, shares his presentation, What We Inherited and Better Understanding Our Role in Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. Hosted by Dr. Shawna Cunningham, EdD, director of ii’ taa’poh’to’p, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy, with special remarks from UCalgary President Ed McCauley and Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur, BA’01. Piikani Elder Reg Crowshoe, Hon. LLD’01, will open and close the event in a good way.

Read Cadmus Delorme's bio

Professional photo of Cadmus Delorme

Film Screening of Beans

Date: Sept. 29
Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m. MST
Location: Central Library and livestreamed

Join us for a free viewing of the film Beans, directed by Tracey Deer, with special remarks from Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur, BA’01 and UCalgary’s Dr. Shawna Cunningham, EdD, director of ii’ taa’poh’to’p, UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy. Following the film, there will be discussion with director Tracey Deer, Kelli-Morning Bull, the Indigenous Services Design Lead at Calgary Public Library, and Autumn Eaglespeaker.

Based on true events, Beans is a coming-of-age story that follows a Mohawk girl during an armed stand-off known as the Oka Crisis, which tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in 1990. Beans was world-premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2020 and honoured as one of TIFF’s Canada’s Top 10 films, TIFF Emerging Talent Award, and TIFF's Rising Star. The film also won the Crystal Bear in the Generation Section at Berlinale 2020.

Professional poster of Beans

Canadians are encouraged to honour survivors by wearing orange and show their support of Orange Shirt Day by using #orangeshirtday and #everychildmatters on social media and learning about its origins and residential schools.

Wellness Support

Hope for Wellness Help Line and Chat
1-855-242-3310

National Indian Residential School Resolution Help Support Program
1-866-925-4419

Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society
24-hour Crisis Line
403-531-1972 or 403-531-197

Elbow River Healing Lodge
Traditional Wellness and Healing (Spiritual, Cultural, and Ceremonial supports)
403-955-660

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
403-297-1700

Distress Centre
403-266-HELP (4357)

CCASA – Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault
403-237-6905

Writing Symbols Lodge Wellness and Cultural Support

 

Addiction Helpline
Available 24/7 1-866-332-2322

Urgent Care for Mental Health
Sheldon Chumir 1213-4th street SW or,
South Calgary Health Centre: 31 Sunpark Plaza SE or call 403-943-9300

Kids Help Phone
Text CONNECT to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Support Line
1-844-413-6649

 

Education & Teaching Resources

Calgary Public Library Indigenous Services

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Reconciliation Canada
Provides programs and initiatives to inspire positive change in communities. The resource page provides links to the TRC webpage, Calls to Action, findings from the commission and other resources.

Legacy of Hope Foundation
An overview of the history of residential schools. Includes oral histories and survivor stories.

Residential Schools Podcast Series 
Made by Historica Canada

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation, University of Manitoba
Resources for students from elementary to high school about the Residential School experiences and some history. The information is sectioned into level of grade.

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society
Provides research, policy, professional development and networking to support First Nations child and family service agencies in caring for First Nations children, youth and families. 

Teacher Resource Guide
Developed by the First Nations Education Steering Committee in British Columbia. FNESC is a policy and advocacy organization that represents and works on behalf of First Nations in British Columbia. 

Wellness Support and Resources PDF