Reconciliation begins with education

The following message was also emailed to students, staff, and faculty on behalf of the Office of the President on September 29, 2023.

Kwe’ to Members of the University Community,

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which was originally called and is still referred to as Orange Shirt Day—a day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada).

As a post-secondary education institution, the University of Prince Edward Island has a unique responsibility to support and advance Truth and Reconciliation on September 30 and throughout the year. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which ran from 2008–2015, released a report with 94 Calls to Action in December 2015. From these, Universities Canada has developed Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. Both the Calls to Action and the Commitments help guide our reconciliation efforts here at UPEI.

We acknowledge that UPEI is located on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq People, known to them as Epekwitk, a traditional district in the territory of Mi’kma’ki. Therefore, reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization continue to and will always be priorities of the University. We continue to progress on our journey by expanding the presence of Indigenous students, staff, and faculty on campus; incorporating Indigenous content into curricula; supporting Indigenous research; and developing tangible ways to honour and acknowledge Indigenous peoples, traditions, histories, and the Mi’kmaw language.

I have previously recognized the incredible work being done by our Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies in developing and delivering curricula. They are innovative leaders, and I am excited that they are working diligently to soon offer a major in Indigenous Studies, in addition to the Mi’kmaw language course offered to members of the Indigenous community, the mandatory course for students, “Indigenous Teachings of Turtle Island,” which has now been delivered at UPEI Cairo, and the minor in Indigenous Studies currently offered.

It is also important to highlight the efforts of Jasmine Pauze, Coordinator of the Mawi’omi Indigenous Student Centre, and Corinne Chappell, Advisor to the Vice-President Academic and Research on Indigenous Affairs. They have been instrumental in coordinating events and programming year-round, but especially in the lead up to this year’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, including today’s event at 12:00 noon in front of SDU Main Building.

We are gathering today because NDTR falls on a Saturday; by doing so, students, staff, and faculty can reflect on and participate in this important commemoration on campus together. On Saturday, the Native Council of PEI will host the very moving KAIROS Canada blanket exercise at the same location beginning at 1:00 pm—all are welcome! The University will be closed on Monday, October 3, to observe the statutory holiday. Therefore, all flags on campus will fly at half-mast from September 29–October 2.

The highlight of my summer was receiving an eagle feather on behalf of the University in a special ceremony hosted by the Native Council of PEI (NCPEI). I was honoured to receive the feather in recognition of UPEI’s commitment and contributions to the ongoing work toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities. It was an incredibly meaningful day that I will always remember.

We know there is much more to do, and I invite everyone to make time to participate in events on campus and in the community. For those unable to attend in-person activities, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be broadcasting Remembering the Children live, a special gathering on Parliament Hill that commemorates the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The live national broadcast will begin at 2:00 pm AST on APTN and other supporting broadcasters. 

In the words of TRC Commissioner, the Honourable Murray Sinclair, “Education is the key to reconciliation. Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it.” I encourage all faculty, staff, and students to wear orange this weekend and to endeavour to educate yourselves, not only about the impacts of Canada’s residential school system, but also about Indigenous cultures and history and the significant ways in which Indigenous peoples have shaped the country in which we live. Only by reflecting on the tragic injustices perpetrated against Indigenous people, listening to the lived experiences of Survivors and honouring their courage and strength, and recognizing with profound sorrow that they and their families continue to suffer do we begin to acknowledge the true and ongoing impacts of colonialism so that we may move forward.

At UPEI, we are committed to continuing to travel on the path towards reconciliation and to Indigenization efforts that support healing and create a safe, inclusive teaching, learning, and work environment. This journey of healing will take time, but if we take it together, there will be a better future.

Wela’lin,

Greg

Please note: The National Residential School Crisis Line offers emotional support and crisis referral services for residential school Survivors and their families. The toll-free crisis line number is 1-866-925-4419. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.