This Thursday September 30th, 2021 marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The ATU Local 583 office sits on Treaty 7 land and traditional Blackfoot territory.

To date over 1800 unmarked graves have been found, mainly of children, in at least eight locations of former residential schools. This history is an open wound for those who did survive, their families, as well as the families of those lost.

From www.ottawa.ca

Whether you’re attending an event or taking some time to learn on your own, we encourage you to wear an orange shirt on this day to help spread awareness.
Thursday, September 30 coincides with Orange Shirt Day, which honours the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a former residential school student who had her orange shirt taken away on her first day at residential school.

The orange shirt has become a symbol of remembrance of all Indigenous children who were removed from their families to attend residential schools where their language and culture were repressed, and many children experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The painful legacy of residential schools has had lasting impacts on residential school survivors and their families.

We would like to offer our strength and support to our indigenous Sisters and Brothers as our country works towards uncovering the truth of residential schools and reconciling where possible.

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