"Reconciliation is yours to achieve. We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future; a future of healing and trust."
- The Honourable Murray Sinclair, LLB MSC IPC
15th Chancellor of Queen’s University
In 2021, September 30th marked Canada’s first official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a newly designated day of remembrance to honour victims and survivors of Canada’s Indigenous residential school system. For years, the 30th of September has been recognized as Orange Shirt Day.
In support of this important moment of reflection and learning, the university will be offering activities and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to learn, engage, and act toward advancing reconciliation both on and off campus. A list of events and resources can be found below.
An important aspect of Truth and Reconciliation work is committing to your own awareness and self-education of the complex histories as well as ongoing issues facing Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island. With this, we encourage you to use the below resources as well as sources of information you discover on your own, to learn more, each day. Please read and sign the commitment to reconciliation here.
For a list of locations to pick up orange t-shirts, pins, and bookmarks: Locations Document (PDF, 13KB).
A Microsoft Teams background has been created to use during the week of September 26-30, download here.
Message from Chancellor Murray Sinclair
Resources
The following resources will help provide education, understanding, and awareness on Indigenous history, current issues, etc.
For a full list of resources, please click here.
Educational Events and Learning Opportunities
During September and October Queen's University Library will be host to two exhibits from the Legacy of Hope Foundation. Exhibits can be found at Bracken Health Sciences Library and the Education Library.
Learning Opportunities during the week of September 26-30:
Monday 26
Indigenous Art Exhibit to run all week (26-29) at Stauffer Library - 8 am to 11 pm.
Tuesday 27
2:30 pm
Taking up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations in your Classroom
6:30 pm
Beading Workshop: open to students, with Liv Rondeau of Flint + Maple Beadwork
Wednesday 28
Thursday 29
12:00 pm
Elder Meet & Greet: TRC - Working Towards Meaningful Respect - register here.
6:30 pm
Paint Night: open to students, discussing truth and reconciliation with Artist Jaylene Cardinal
Friday 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
9:00 am
TRC + Me
1:00 pm
Flag Raising Ceremony for Survivors' Flag - Richardson Hall
Crowd to follow to Agnes Benedickson Field for sacred fire upon finish of flag raising
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Sacred Fire, Agnes Benedickson Field, agenda to follow - livestream available
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Sacred Fire, City Park, Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest: registration
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sacred Fire for Indigenous Students at Four Directions, download full schedule here.
Orange Shirt Commemoration Collaborative Display, Faculty of Health Sciences
In honor of those affected by the Residential School system, Queen's community members are invited to contribute to a display by contributing an orange shirt in solidarity with those who have been, and continue to be, impacted by the residential school system. This space is for those wishing to write a message, a kind thought, or perhaps a name in honor of a loved one who has been impacted.
Paper orange t-shirts will be provided at the distribution tables around campus for orange t-shirt pickups. Small orange shirt graphics will be displayed in the School of Medicine from September 23rd to October 7th.
Indigenous Organizations
The following are local and province-wide organizations, Indigenous communities, etc. for you to be aware of.
To view more organizations, please click here.