September 30, 2022 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On this day we are called upon to honour the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. It is also a day of action for non-Indigenous Canadians to learn about the culture of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and to support Indigenous peoples.

Taking time to remember and reflect on this tragic and painful history and the ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Many of us wonder what we can do to honour this day and how we as individuals can make a difference through action.  Together we can do our part. The following is information provided by the Government of Canada on ways we can do just that.

Wear orange

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30th.

Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations.

Learn about Residential Schools to honour the lost children, victims, and Survivors. And learn of the lasting and ongoing impacts on Indigenous peoples.

• Education resources for all ages, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 
• Residential School History, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
• History of Residential Schools, Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada
• An Overview of the Indian Residential School System, Written by the Union of Ontario Indians

Learn about the Truth and Reconciliation Report and its 94 Calls to Action.

• 94 Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (child and adult friendly)
• ‘Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future.’ Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 

Follow discussions and learn about Indigenous peoples and culture from Indigenous led organizations.

• Assembly of First Nations
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Métis National Council
• Your local Friendship Centre

Attend an Indigenous led event on September 30 and show your support.

Look online for a local event to attend in-person.

For those of you who would like to learn more, there are many educational opportunities available.  The University of Alberta’s Indigenous Canada online course is a user friendly and very informative course.

This day is one step in the right direction for reconciliation and to reconcile in our minds and hearts the terrible past we share and to vow to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country.

In Solidarity,

Your Component Diversity Committee

For approximately 1 billion people around the world, Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays of the year.

It is celebrated in East and Southeast Asian cultures, with Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean groups among those participating.

The New Year is frequently celebrated across several days, rather than simply one, as it is on the Gregorian calendar. The Lunar New Year will begin on February 1st, 2022.

The celebration began as a time for feasting and honoring home and heavenly deities, as well as ancestors, and was tied to the lunar calendar.

There are many legends surrounding the Lunar New Year’s origin. The most common one claims that the festivities began to frighten away a beast known as “Nian” (which means “year” in Chinese) who haunted cities and villages each spring, attacking people. People used firecrackers and red paper to frighten Nian, because he was afraid of loud noises and the color red.

The New Year usually begins with the first new moon, which occurs between the end of January and the beginning of February. The first 15 days of the lunar calendar’s first month until the full moon.

2022 marks the year of the Water Tiger. In China, the tiger is regarded as the king of all beasts. The Tiger is a symbol of strength, and bravery in the Chinese zodiac and due to the Tiger’s auspicious signs, 2022 is set to be a prosperous one.

Your Component Diversity Committee would like to send our best wishes to everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year. We wish you all the best of health and success for the year ahead!

In Solidarity,

Your Component Diversity Committee