(Red Deer Polytechnic)

By Alessia Proietti

Closed Sept. 30

Red Deer Polytechnic holds Truth and Reconciliation Week on campus

Sep 28, 2022 | 1:00 PM

For the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is holding various activities and engagement initiatives throughout the week.

The National Day, held September 30, aims to honour First Nations, Inuit and Métis Survivors, their families and their communities, working towards reconciliation through public commemoration of their history.

Known as “Orange Shirt Day”, officials say the day also symbolizes the stripping of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by the many generations of Indigenous children and families through the residential school system.

The name was inspired by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s story, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) woman from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band) in British Columbia and founder of The Orange Shirt Society. Given an orange shirt by her grandmother for her first day at the Missions residential school in 1973, she says the staff stripped her of her clothes, never returning her orange shirt.

Inspired by the initiatives of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, RDP said they would also hold a Truth and Reconciliation Week preceding the National Day, with educational initiatives sharing knowledge and memorializing children lost to residential schools while honoring survivors and their families through knowledge keepers.

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Officials say in a release that they intend for the week to enable the school community and Indigenous partners to “cultivate reciprocal relationships, hold space for Indigenous students, and create learning and engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, students and community members.”

Throughout the week, a Feather and Timeline Display will cover the Main Campus Hallway. Students and staff were asked to draw, colour, and write messages in honor of lost residential school children, all with the intention towards meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples. Since Fall 2021, the institution says they have received over 700 submissions.

A Conversation Board and Resource Display will also be held in the library titled “What Does Reconciliation Mean to You?”

Screenings of various documentaries will be held each day from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. and the exterior lights of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre (120 College Cir.) will display orange lights from dusk to dawn.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, a Student Talking Circle was held in the afternoon, facilitated by an Indigenous Counsellor. Faculty and staff also had the opportunity for a Tea & Chat during lunch with Indigenous Learning Designer Patricia Marshall.

On Thursday, an Indigenous Flag Raising Ceremony with be open to the public at noon at the front entrance flag pole.

Finally, the institution will be closed on Friday, with students encouraged to attend City Hall’s “Little Souls Journey Home: A Truth and Reconciliation Event” from 1 – 3 p.m.

Students and staff are also being encouraged to wear an orange shirt throughout the week.

“In the spirit of truth, reconciliation, and our commitment toward indigenization, we can learn from and commemorate with Indigenous peoples,” said RDP officials in a release.