National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29, 2022. OTTAWA, ON. On September 30, Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We remember and honour the victims of Canada’s Residential School System.
We reflect on the injustices of colonialism endured by Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. Too often in our history, Canada has not lived up to the ideals that we espouse. We have a shared responsibility to address the trauma and discrimination suffered by the First Nations, Métis Nation, and Inuit communities of Canada with empathy, understanding and compassion.
The Ukrainian Canadian community stands with our sisters and brothers in the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation in mourning and remembrance and in the search for a just future. As Russia wages a genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine, we express our gratitude to the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation for their support Ukraine during this difficult time, and for their kindness to the Ukrainian people, and to our community.
May the Memory of the Victims Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
On September 30, commemorative events will be taking place in cities and towns across the country. The UCC encourages our community to participate in local events, and to:
- Wear an Orange Shirt to help raise awareness about the legacy of Residential Schools
- Learn about findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, here: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/
- Explore the exhibits of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, available here: https://nctr.ca/exhibits/
Learn more about Canada’s Indigenous Peoples’ support for the Ukrainian people here:
APTN News: Indigenous people show support for the people of Ukraine with kookum scarves | APTN News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUboO3DmnQo
Kokum scarves honour relationship between Canada’s Indigenous and Ukrainian communities
https://globalnews.ca/news/8657710/kokum-scarves-indigenous-ukraine/
Oped – Tomaszewski and Kent: A protest to inspire us to look beyond ourselves
A plains Ojibwa and a woman of Polish origin discover their common values while protesting the Ukraine invasion. May we all encourage peace, understanding and human rights.
