Camosun Hosts Truth and Reconciliation Event Amid Rainy Weather

Dozens gathered at Camosun College’s Na’tsa’maht building on September 29, 2023, to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The event took place amid heavy rains for the first time in weeks, offering a warm and dry space for students, staff, and community members to honour the survivors of the Indian residential school system in Canada, as well as the children who never returned home.

Christine La Vallee, a member of the college’s administrative support staff for Indigenous education and community connections, emphasized the day’s significance. “The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is an important day to honour the lives of survivors who experienced the Indian residential school system in Canada, and to never forget the numbers of students that didn’t get to return home,” she stated in a news release.

The event featured presentations from several notable figures, including Keelin McNeil, an Indigenous Studies student, muralist Jesse Campbell, and Carey Newman, a professor at the University of Victoria and a Kwagiulth and Coast Salish artist. Each speaker addressed the crowd, many of whom wore orange shirts symbolizing their support for reconciliation. McNeil remarked, “Over the years, this day has grown into a day of education, a day to be seen, a day to be listened to and a day to be heard by Indigenous people all throughout Canada.”

At the entrance of the Na’tsa’maht building, attendees could purchase pins designed by Carey Newman, with proceeds benefiting the Orange Shirt Society. The pins serve as a tribute to survivors and the children lost to the residential school system. “The hearts in the design express love for all those buried in unmarked graves, and compassion for the families and community members who carry the legacy of that loss,” Camosun College explained on its website. The colorful hand motifs reflect the uniqueness of every child and symbolize ongoing reconciliation efforts.

Prior to the main event, morning workshops were open to the public, attracting considerable participation. “The morning workshops are intended to offer participants the opportunity to not only critically reflect, listen, and dialogue with one another but to work with various mediums and materials as we put our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation into action,” said Courtney Neidig, an early learning and care instructor, in a release.

The event was also live-streamed at Camosun’s Interurban campus, allowing a wider audience to engage with the day’s activities. This initiative underscores the significance of acknowledging the past and fostering dialogue towards a more inclusive future.