On Monday September 25th, Humber College Lakeshore Campus will be flooded in orange shirts to spread awareness of the Residential School System with a Walk for Reconciliation. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation happens on September 30th, originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day.
Why are we wearing orange shirts? Orange Shirt Day honors Residential School Survivors, which include those who are living and who passed on, along with those who never made it home. Orange Shirt Day also honors families and intergenerational survivors of the impact of the residential school system in Canada. Orange Shirt Day originated in British Columbia in 2013 and has evolved into a nation-wide symbol that represents acknowledging residential schools are a part of our history and the awareness of the assimilation of the children forced into the Residential School System. Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people can wear orange to honor to raise awareness and honor those mentioned.
Taking place at the Humber Lakeshore Campus, participants who register will walk a designated 1.5km accessibility route twice.
How to sign up for the walk:
- Click "Get Tickets" to register
- Donate to any of the listed organizations a minimum of $10 or more
- Bring the receipt/proof of donation to the IGNITE Office from Monday, September 18th to Friday, September 21st at both campuses to receive 1 out of 200 Patrick Hunter's/ Humber IEE Orange Shirt!
- Wear your IEE x Patrick Hunter Orange Shirt on event day – tag Patrick Hunter, Humber, IEE and Ignite on your stories!
Participants will donate to one of the four following charities in the spirit of reconciliation:
Indian Residential School Survivors Society
The Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) is a provincial organization providing essential services to residential school survivors/students, their families and loved ones, and Indigenous people experiencing intergenerational trauma. Recently, the IRSSS has supported survivors and intergenerational survivors with triggering and distressing situations, including the uncovering of unmarked graves at Indian Residential Schools across the country, by providing emotional and cultural support as needed.
Woodland Cultural Centre
The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) was established in October 1972, under the direction of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians upon the closure of the Mohawk Institute Residential School (MI). WCC’s focus began on collecting research and artifacts, to develop its library and museum collections, expanding to include the arts in 1975 and the language program in 1984.
Native Men’s Residence
Na-Me-Res is a community organization with proven practices in integrated culturally relevant social service delivery. Na-Me-Res compassionate and safe environment that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of its clients. It also provides them to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence required to lead healthy and self-determined lives.
Anduhyaun Inc.
Anduhyaun Inc. is a non-profit registered charity founded by five grandmothers in 1973 to respond to the needs of Toronto's Indigenous women. It first opened as a hostel, and now provides emergency shelter and second stage transitional housing to women and their children fleeing violence. We make culturally-inclusive, safe spaces available for those who come through our doors to focus on their healing and wellness journey.
Humber Indigenous Education & Engagement Micro-Bursary Fund
To donate to the Humber IE&E Micro-Bursary Fund head to the Advance and Alumni website and click the “One-time Gift” tab. Select the donation amount you wish to give. When selecting a designation for the gift, please select “Other” and you will be allowed to type in “Indigenous” in the designation box. By donating to the IE&E Micro-Bursary you are alleviating financial stress for Indigenous learners at Humber who face emergency or hardship situations and unmet critical needs of students at any time of the year.
Wearing the orange shirt, participants will be demonstrating recognition for the horrors of the Residential School System, honour the children who entered this system, and to demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation.
