National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30th, 2023, we commemorate the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, which is observed as a federal statutory holiday to honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. As a Catholic, Non-Indigenous child welfare agency, CCAS, is committed to acknowledging and learning about the TRUTHS of residential schools, its roots of colonialism, and its legacies in the child welfare sector.
The orange shirt is a symbol of allyship, as we stand in solidarity with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities to honour and remember the children that were forcibly removed from their families; stripped of their culture, Indigenous identities, language, and vibrant traditions; the residential school survivors, the children that never returned, the families and communities left in mourning for the loss of those children, and the resiliency of Indigenous communities as the new generation of children emerge.
We must remain committed to allyship beyond wearing an orange shirt to accomplish true RECONCILIATION by rigorous learning and implementing the Commission of Truth and Reconciliation’s 5 Calls to Action to the child welfare system, and 9 key commitments of Ontario’s non-Indigenous Children’s Aid Societies as outlined in the OACAS’ 2017 apology.
CCAS commits to ongoing learning of the vibrancy and richness of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, their ceremonies and cultural practices, their sacred teachings and sense of community, despite the severe impacts of colonialism. On September 30th, as we remember and grieve the abhorrent realities, we also honour Indigenous Peoples, and we hold ourselves accountable in hope for healing and true reconciliation.
