UPEI marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 26: Due to the rain expected Friday, September 27, the TRC Mawi’omi, which was scheduled for the afternoon to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is postponed. The event will be rescheduled on a date in October. The new date will be communicated to the campus community when it has been determined.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also 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 of Canada).

At UPEI, we have a responsibility to support and advance Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) on September 30 and throughout the year. As such, we will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with events on campus this week. 

On September 27, there will be a TRC Mawi’omi in the Quadrangle close to the tipi, from 12:30 to approximately 3:30 pm. Student lead Kallie Drummond will open the Mawi’omi with introductions. Doris Googoo, Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies, will give the Seven Sacred Teachings in Mi’kmaq and English. Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, and Dr. Judy Clark, Elder-in-Residence, will give remarks.

The Grand Entry will follow at 1:00 pm when all dancers and others will be welcomed into the circle. The host drum will be the LoneCry Singers; the head female dancer will be Kelly Sark; and the head male dancer will be Michael Julian. Indigenous artisans will display their beading, basket weaving, and quill work. There will also be a table with medicines, waltes, and cake.

All members of the campus community are welcome to attend and are encouraged to wear orange shirts. Orange ribbons will be available to tie on the fence close to University Avenue, and smaller ribbons to pin on shirts.

The TRC Mawi’omi is hosted by the UPEI Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies; Department of Student Affairs; and Student Union.

During the week (September 23 to 27), the Department of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Human Rights will host an educational display titled “Yes, Here Too: Prince Edward Island’s Indian Day Schools and Residential Schools in Canada’s Maritimes” in the Kelley Memorial Building, Rooms 115 to 118, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

The display is dedicated to exploring the profound and shameful history of Indian Day Schools and Residential Schools in Canada’s Maritimes. It aims to illuminate the experiences of Indigenous children and families who endured these institutions and to foster a deeper understanding of their generational impact. It is a crucial step toward acknowledging and understanding the complexities of colonization. Visitors of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend, reflect, and engage in meaningful dialogue about reconciliation and the ongoing journey toward justice and healing. Please note that subject matter and supplemental conversation include abuse, violence, assault, death, abduction, racism, sexism, classism, and cultural genocide. Conversation may also include suicide, substance use, and police brutality. The contents of this activity are based on real events in Canadian history and may be emotionally and intellectually challenging to engage with.

On September 26, the UPEI Teaching and Learning Centre is offering a Lunch and Learn called “Spilling the Tea on Treaties and How are We Integrating Indigenous Knowledge?” at noon in the Robertson Library Annex, Room 230. The session will be led by Heathyr Francis, Department of Biology. Discussion will be centred around two of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action: 

• 45)iii) Renew or establish relationships based on principles of mutual recognition, mutual respect, and shared responsibility for maintaining those relationships into the future
• 62)ii) Provide the necessary funding to post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms. 

In the broader PEI community, there will be an official ceremony of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, at 11:30 am in front of the Shaw Building located at 95 Rochford Street in Charlottetown. Mi’kmaq leadership, alongside Premier Dennis King, will come together to observe a solemn moment of silence and reflection at noon. During this time, the flags at the provincial building will be lowered as a mark of respect. UPEI will also lower flags to half-mast on September 30.

On October 1, the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI will host a Treaty Day Mawi’omi at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown from noon to 5:00 pm, which will include traditional dancing, drumming, and singing, and Mi’kmaw artisans and vendors. This free event is led by the First Nations, coordinated by L’nuey, and hosted by the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils. All are welcome.

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.