Town of Shelburne recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Shelburne residents will have the chance to honour residential school survivors and missing Indigenous children during an upcoming event marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

The Town of Shelburne's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will be hosting the event on Sept. 30 at Jack Downing Park, located on Main Street. The event starts at 7 p.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by the raising of the Every Child Matters Flag to mark National Orange Shirt Day. 

The agenda also includes a blessing of the Every Child Matters Crosswalk, which was installed by the Town in 2022. The crosswalk features seven feathers representing the seven guiding principles adopted by many Indigenous communities and organizations: love, respect, courage, honesty, humility, truth, and wisdom. 

The evening will close with a 1.8-kilometre candlelight reflection walk starting and ending at Jack Downing Park.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived residential schools and remembers those who did not. 

The naming of the day is inspired by the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation. On her first day of school, she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. 

The orange shirt symbolizes the stripping away of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. The day looks to raise awareness of the inter-generational impact of residential schools on individuals, families, and communities.

This year will mark the third year the Town of Shelburne has recognized Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with the community-wide event. 

Those interested in attending are encouraged to wear orange.