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National Day For Truth and Reconciliation Resources

We mark the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, 2021. Members of the King’s community, particularly settler Canadians, are exploring ways to bring the work of decolonization and reconciliation to their everyday practice. The resources below include information on how to bring this work and practice into your scholarly pursuits, financial choices, daily life, and relationship to the land.

It is important to recognize that some of the information presented on these websites could have a strong impact on you. This is a Day filled with grief and all of its accompanying stages and emotions. Please be aware of your emotional response to this material and seek supports as needed.

For Indigenous members of our community these websites, and this Day itself, can be triggering and harmful. For settlers, the discomfort that learning about and engaging in reconciliation creates is necessary. The work of reconciliation is urgent and ongoing. Consider how to care for yourself in ways that will create an ability to engage in discussion, action, and reflection on reconciliation in a sustainable way.

Find out about:

Education
Residential School Education
Financial Re-distribution
Daily Life
Relationship to the land
Community Events
Further Learning
Resources for Indigenous Students, Staff & Faculty
Mental Health Resources & Supports

Education

4 Seasons of Reconciliation

4 Seasons of Reconciliation is an online course available for staff, faculty, and administration that provides comprehensive and decolonialized education in a multi-media format in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation

The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) was created as part of the mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). The TRC was charged to listen to Survivors, their families, communities and others affected by the residential school system and educate Canadians about their experiences. The resulting collection of statements, documents and other materials are available for all, to examine the residential school system more deeply with the goal of fostering reconciliation and healing.

The Mi’kmaq Resource Center

The Mi’kmaq Resource Centre, part of the Unama’ki College family at Cape Breton University, is a repository of documents and a dedicated space for Indigenous research.

Treaty Education Nova Scotia

Treaty Education is a vehicle to begin the long-term journey, over generations, toward reconciliation. The Mi’kmaq and provincial government are working together to develop specific programs and services that highlight the contributions of the Mi'kmaq and explain how the Treaties were significant building blocks for Nova Scotia and Canada.

Office of L’nu Affairs

The Office of L’nu Affairs aims to develop a new relationship between the Nova Scotia government and the Mi'kmaq, one based on partnership, respect and mutual understanding.

The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

The National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.

Decolonization Learning Journey

A four-part learning journey with Mi'kmaw Elders and knowledge sharers.

Indigenous Foundations

This page has resources that cover residential schools, the Indian Act, reserves as well as the culture and politics of Indigenous people in Canada. It is aimed at educating people about the history of Indigenous people in Canada as well as global Indigenous issues.

Residential School Education

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation – Reconciliation through Education

A part of the mandate at the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is to raise awareness of the history and creation of the residential school system, its ongoing legacy, and how it has shaped the country we live in today. The teaching resources and educational programming we offer make it easier for the public to learn the truth about this tragic history.

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation – Residential School History

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) concluded that residential schools were “a systematic, government-sponsored attempt to destroy Aboriginal cultures and languages and to assimilate Aboriginal peoples so that they no longer existed as distinct peoples.” The TRC characterized this intent as “cultural genocide.”

How to talk to our kids about Residential Schools

Infographic by The Prevention House.

Financial Re-distribution

Settlers who are salaried can consider what it means to profit from paid holidays like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Canada Day. How can this financial gain directly tied to colonialism be put back into the hands of Indigenous people and communities?

How to budget for Mutual Aid – an Instagram slideshow

How to budget for Mutual Aid is an Instagram slideshow resource by Pocket Change Pools that talks about how to sustainably redistribute money to others. Settlers have a responsibility to not only support but fund efforts related to decolonization and reconciliation.

On reparations; how much should I give?

An Instagram slideshow by @atxreparations.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation

The Legacy of Hope Foundation‘s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the impacts of residential schools in the form of educational tools and consultation with survivors.

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Assists First Nation Peoples in British Columbia to recognize and be holistically empowered from the primary and generational effect of the Residential Schools by supporting research, education, awareness, partnerships, and advocating for justice and healing. The Society assists Survivors with counselling, court support, information, referrals, workshops, and more.

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society

The Caring Society stands with First Nations children, youth and families so they have equitable opportunities to grow up safely at home, be healthy, get a good education and be proud of who they are.

Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirt Day opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools and the legacy they have left behind.

Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc

Donate to language revitalization, cultural and land-based programs of the Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc First Nation and other First Nations, especially those whose children were taken to Kamloops Indian Residential School.

Daily Life

L'nui'suti

L'nui'suti, a free Mi’kmaw language app, was created in 2015 to promote the language, and give non-speakers the opportunity to learn. It contains vocabulary lists for common or important words in Mi’kmaw and allows users to hear them pronounced by native speakers.

This is Mi’kma’ki

This is Mi’kma’ki is an Instagram slideshow overview of food and culture from the Change is Brewing Collective.

Reconciliation: A starting Point

This mobile app is a reference tool for learning about First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including key historical events and examples of reconciliation initiatives.

Tal-Tluen? (Apple)

Tal-Tluen? allows users to build simple Mi’kmaw phrases and hear them spoken.

Tal-Tluen? (Google)

Tal-Tluen? allows users to build simple Mi’kmaw phrases and hear them spoken.

Relationship to the land

mikmawplacenames.ca

Mi’kmaw place names is an interactive map launched to document approximately 13,000 years of Mi’kmaw presence within Mi’kma’ki. Click on different places to hear pronunciation and learn about the meanings behind names. 

There's Something in the Water

Based on the book of the same name by Ingrid Waldron, this documentary explores the topic of environmental racism, poignantly shining a light on the Canadian government’s current and historical decisions to prioritize the profits of large corporations over the health of Indigenous and Black communities. This film is directed by and features Emmy award-nominated actor-director Elliott Page and can be viewed on Netflix. 

Wildhood

A Mi'kmaw language film.

Community Events for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Treaty Day, and Indigenous History Month

Weekend of Reconciliation on the Waterfront

September 30 – October 2
Salter Sands, Halifax Waterfront

Thursday, September 30 – Orange Shirt Day

10 a.m.: Opening Prayer/Song

Opening Remarks

Welcome / History of Orange Shirt Day

Painting craft on Orange Shirts

Info pamphlets and MNFC staff on site to answer questions

3 p.m.: Closing remarks

Friday, October 1 – Treaty Day

10 a.m.: Opening Prayer/Song

Opening Remarks

11:30 a.m. Traditional Salmon Dinner
(first come first served to 500)

Welcome / History of Treaties in Mi’kma’ki

Live Entertainment

Videos played throughout the day on treaty conflicts in Mi’kma’ki

MNFC staff on site to answer questions

3 p.m.: Closing remarks

Saturday, October 2 – Family Day

12 p.m.: Opening Prayer/Song

Opening Remarks

Open Mic for Artists

Crafts for Children

Indigenous Music & Pow wow dance demonstrations

MNFC staff on site to answer questions

3 p.m.: Closing remarks

Events Hosted by Dalhousie University

Tuesday, September 28

6-8 p.m.: A virtual talk and discussion by Catherine Martin, hosted by the School of Resource and Environmental Studies Student Society.

Thursday, September 30

7-7:30 a.m.: A virtual sunrise ceremony hosted by Catherine Martin, Director of Indigenous Community Engagement (Link will be made available from the HRES website.)

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.: A virtual Zoom presentation from Dalhousie faculty member Patricia Doyle-Bedwell, hosted by the Dalhousie Faculty Association

There are many more events taking place in Mi’kmaki, and across Turtle Island. For more information on both Dalhousie and community events, visit the HRES website. The Dalhousie and King’s communities are also invited to join the online sunrise ceremony organized by APTN and airing live on television.

Further Learning

Follow Indigenous Journalists

Twitter thread by Indigenous Journalist Angela Sterritt

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation - United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

A global human rights instrument adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 13, 2007 as "the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world."

National Center for Truth and Reconciliation – Further recommendations for learning

Reccomended publications for adults and teachers.

Indigenous Rights: Think Big, Look Back, Start Small

This page explains and advocates Indigenous equality, rights, and privileges. It also discusses Indigenous struggles and opportunities for education.

Learning from Knowledge Keepers of Mi’kma’ki

The course was designed to allow for many opportunities to share knowledge and intercultural dialogue, which will emerge as we discuss the rich history, culture, and wisdom of indigenous peoples in Mi’kma’ki and across Canada.

Mi’kmaw Book of Days

The Book of Days for the Mi’kmaw Year is an amalgam of events from the near and distant past which might otherwise be forgotten. Though not intended as a history of a people, it is hoped it may serve as a reminder of the important and not-so-important moments that have gone before.

Mi’kmaq Resource Centre – Suggested Further Reading

Publications about Indigenous history and culture.
University of King's College

Resources for Indigenous Students, Staff & Faculty

Dalhousie Indigenous Student Center

Indigenous Student Advisor

Michelle Graveline, Indigenous Student Advisor at Dalhousie, provides support for all students who identify as Indigenous. She can be reached at mgraveline@dal.ca.

Crisis Support

Emotional, cultural and professional support services are also available to Survivors and their families through the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program. Services can be accessed on an individual, family or group basis.

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-866-414-8111

University of King's College

Mental Health Resources & Supports