A Day for Truth and Reconciliation

/ charlesjamessfauthor

In Canada, today (September 30) is day for Truth and Reconciliation. Today I want to take time to reflect on and honour those children who were forced into the residential school system. Between 1867 and 1996, there were 140 federally run residential schools. Many of the children who entered these schools never came home. Those who survived were robbed of their language, culture, history, family, and ultimately their right to be children. My family and I honour those children and we honour their families and communities and the multiple generations dealing with the ongoing impacts of the residential schools.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In this image, provided by the Government of Canada, the circle at the centre represents being together in spirit of reconciliation. The poster is orange in colour to represent truth and healing. The long pathway is meant to be the road to reconciliation. The eagle represents First Nations, the narwhal represents the Inuit, and the beaded flower represents the Métis.

Today as an author, I also take the time to acknowledge that the work I produce is written in Lethbridge, Alberta, within Treaty 7 territory. The Treaty 7 lands are the traditional and ancestral territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy: Kainai, Piikani and Siksika, as well as the Tsuu T’ina Nation and Stoney Nakoda First Nation. It is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.