This Truth and Reconciliation week, the U of T Scarborough community honours those lost to the residential school system, their families and communities.
From Sept. 26 to Oct. 1, we recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.
Every Sept. 30th, Orange Shirt Day is honoured around the world. This day was created by residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad to give voice to the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, and recognize their pain and their truth as residential school survivors. On this day, we join in the international call that Every Child Matters.
On Sept. 30 we also recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
While the University of Toronto will remain open on Sept. 30th, the Orange Shirt Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation planning team encourages U of T Scarborough students, faculty, and staff to take time on this day to reflect and to consider individual and collective actions in response to the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the final report of the University of Toronto’s steering committee, Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin.
Please take a moment to explore and register in U of T Scarborough Truth and Reconciliation week events this year.
For Indigenous related programming, check out the Indigenous Outreach Program that works to support students, staff and faculty on and off campus while striving to inspire inclusive excellence.
U of T Scarborough Truth & Reconciliation Week Events
RECONCILIATION WORKSHOP: WALKING THE TALK – MONDAY, SEPT. 26 | 1-3 P.M.
Come join our Reconciliation Workshop: Walking the Talk, as we kick start Truth & Reconciliation Week at UTSC. Using an Indigenous framework, participants will gather in sharing circles and unpack short examples around answering the calls to action on campus. As dialogues begin to unfold, participants will begin to identify and decipher between what inclusive excellence looks like, sounds, and feels like vs tokenism. Co-presented by the Equity Office and the Department of Student Life, University of Toronto Scarborough.
Location: Meeting Place
Registration Link: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/events.htm?evtId=46829
THE MOCCASIN PROJECT – TUESDAY, SEPT. 27 | 6-8 P.M.
Come join our Moccasin project with our Indigenous community partner in response to the call to action #1. Participants will be making moccasins for Indigenous children in care, while learning about Aboriginal Peoples/families and the devastating realities of Indigenous child apprehension rates in Canada. Take Action today by helping create awareness and influence positive change in our community. This event is supported by The Bridge and Indigenous programming in Student Life.
Location: The BRIDGE
Registration Link: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/events.htm?evtId=46830
INDIGENOUS BOOK CLUB – WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 | 12-2 P.M.
Answer the calls to action #62 by joining us for a free lunch and Part 1 of the Indigenous Book Club as we fund and share Aboriginal content in education at U of T. Gather in unity as we explore and learn about books, podcasts, & other media by Indigenous peoples of Canada. This event is brought to you in support of the Librarians at UTSC and the Indigenous Initiatives Office.
Location: AA160
Registration Link: https://libcal.library.utoronto.ca/event/3687760
EXPLORING DRUMMING & MUSIC AS HOME – WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 | 6-7:30 P.M.
As part of Truth & Reconciliation Week we will be celebrating the revitalization of community music and cultural drumming by featuring local & global communities in the GTA that have cultural drumming and music as a key piece of their identity. We want you to participate in a space that celebrates how we are all connected through the heartbeat of the drum. Come join us on Wednesday evening from 6-7:30pm in the Leigha Lee Brown Theatre, UTSC. Admission is free. Refreshments provided. Co-presented by the Department of Arts, Culture and Media, the International Student Centre and Student Life at UTSC.
Location: Leigha Lee Brown Theatre
Registration Link: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/events.htm?evtId=46918
SCREENING OF RUMBLE: THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD – THURSDAY, SEPT. 29 | 6-9 P.M.
Join us at U of T Scarborough as we celebrate Truth and Reconciliation Week with a screening of Rumble: the Indians Who Rocked the World. This featured documentary covers the role of Native Americans in popular music history that shaped the soundtracks of our time. This event is on Thursday, September 29th at 6 p.m. in MW170
This show is free and food and refreshments will be provided along with a feature presentation of an Indigenous Rock and Roller Paul Pike via Zoom.
Co-presented by the Department of Arts, Culture and Media and Indigenous Outreach Programing in Student Life at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Location: MW170
Registration Link: https://clnx.utoronto.ca/events.htm?evtId=47100
ORANGE SHIRT DAY: NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION – FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 | 9:30 - 11 A.M.
Honour the experiences of residential school survivors by joining a University-wide event to recognize Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Students, librarians, faculty and staff may register to attend this event in-person or watch the livestream.
The University of Toronto will commemorate this day of recognition with remarks from Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and Alexandra Gillespie, Vice-President & Principal, University of Toronto Mississauga, in The Great Hall at Hart House. Andrew Wesley, former Elder-in-Residence at First Nations House, will provide the keynote address: “Twelve Steps to Spiritual Renewal, Healing, and Forgiveness: Reflections on my Residential School Experience.”
Location: The Great Hall at Hart House (DownTown)
You can register to attend in person here.
U OF T INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY GATHERING – MONDAY, OCT. 3 | 12 - 3 P.M.
Indigenous students, staff and faculty are invited to “Save the Date” for the University of Toronto Indigenous Community Gathering on October 3rd at the Hart House Farm. This will be an opportunity to share space with each other and to prioritize community care following the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day).
This event is organized and supported by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Hart House, the Faculty of Arts & Science, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, Woodsworth College, UTM Indigenous Centre and First Nations House.
More information to follow – Mark your Calendars!
Pre-registration details: Save the Date - Orange Shirt Day Community Gathering
We also encourage you to join in on virtual events by wearing an orange article of clothing to show solidarity. Share your picture on social media using the #OrangeShirtDay hashtag and please remember to tag @UTSC.
Customize your Microsoft Teams and Zoom Backgrounds using these custom backgrounds. Some artwork courtesy of Isaac Murdoch.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Virtual Background #1
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Virtual Background #2
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Virtual Background #3
RESOURCES & SUPPORT
For those who are struggling and who need support, you can contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Indigenous Student Services at First Nations House, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Offices at UTSC. Staff can connect you with appropriate resources.
Employees have 24/7 access to counselling and other mental health support via our Employee & Family Assistance Program. Students can access supports through Indigenous Student Services at First Nations House, and My SSP.
The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis management to all Indigenous peoples across Canada.