National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Take part in these events
September 20, 2021
Sept. 30 is the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It’s a day to reflect on and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.
Also known as Orange Shirt Day, it’s a time we can all work toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples – on Sept. 30 and every day.
Here at Georgian, we recognize reconciliation is the responsibility of all of us.
With support from Georgian’s Indigenous Services, we have several events planned leading up to Sept. 30, and we encourage you to join us. Now is always the right time to take a moment to do something positive for yourself and our communities.
Every Child Matters flag raisings

Please join us for flag raisings at Georgian’s campuses in the days leading up to Sept. 30.
The flag raising at our Barrie Campus will be livestreamed on Georgian’s Instagram.
These are happening live at the flagpoles in front of our campuses, but unless you’re already on campus to work or study, please stay home and watch virtually.
Every Child Matters flag raising schedule
Barrie Campus
At the cenotaph in front of C building
Monday, Sept. 27
10 a.m.
Smudging will be available for anyone joining us in person who wants to participate.
There will be a number of speakers, including Georgian President and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, and Mary-Anne Willsey, Chair of the Anishinaabe Education and Training Circle.
There will also be a prayer by Visiting Elder Ernestine Baldwin and hand drumming.

Midland Campus
Thursday, Sept. 30
10 a.m.
Muskoka Campus
Tuesday, Sept. 28
11:30 a.m.
Orangeville Campus
Monday, Sept. 27
1 p.m.
Orillia Campus
Monday, Sept. 27
9 a.m.
Owen Sound Campus
Monday, Sept. 27
Noon
Custom Every Child Matters backgrounds

We’ve created two custom Every Child Matters backgrounds – in orange and blue – that people are welcome to use in their Microsoft Teams video calls and meetings.
They are now available for use in the Teams app under “Apply background effects.”

Every Child Matters T-shirts and buttons for sale

Get your Every Child Matters orange T-shirt and button at our Barrie Campus or online.
The items were purchased from the Orange Shirt Society and are being sold at cost.
- Price: $20 for shirts; $2 for buttons
- Sizes: S to XXL
- Where: Barrie Campus GCSA office and pop-up tables in the K building foyer
- When: Weekdays until Sept. 30, while supplies last
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (GCSA office); pop-ups announced on social media
Please note: Employees and students who wish to have their orders sent through interoffice mail must place their orders by end of day Sept. 22.
Orange Shirt Day fact of the day

All month long, we’ve been sharing facts related to Orange Shirt Day on Georgian’s social media.
Follow along and share them with your friends, family and colleagues.
Conversation on reconciliation

Join us for an engaging conversation with Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Honourary Witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Hearing.
Cynthia has written several academic articles focused on the history of intergenerational trauma that Indigenous Peoples continue to experience in their day-to-day lives.
She is also deeply committed to environmental and humanitarian causes.
In 2013, Cynthia joined Lakehead University as the Vice-Provost for Aboriginal Initiatives.
In 2016, Lakehead appointed her as the first Chair in Canada dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation after years of advocacy for Indigenous peoples. Her mandate includes providing advice to Lakehead’s president on issues regarding Indigenous Peoples, and engaging people across Canada in dialogue on diversity, collaboration, and inclusion.
Cynthia is happily married, a proud mother and grandmother, and has lived most of her life on the shores of Lake Simcoe.
In the Spirit of Reconciliation: A National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event
- Thursday, Sept. 30
- 11 a.m. to noon
Truth and Reconciliation Trail

Grab a brush and paint rocks orange to line the walking trail behind Georgian’s Orillia Campus.
The orange rocks are meant to symbolize the lives lost in Canada’s residential schools, and the trail will remain in place in an effort toward continuous learning for all Georgian students and employees.
Painting the rocks:
- Front of Georgian’s Orillia Campus
- Monday, Sept. 27
- Tuesday, Sept. 28
- Wednesday, Sept. 29
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day
Placing the rocks:
- Meet in front of the campus and walk as a physically-distanced group to the trail behind the campus
- Thursday, Sept. 30
- 10:15 a.m.

Decolonization Café
On Wednesday, Sept. 29, Emma Greenfield from Indigenous Services, in partnership with Jill Esmonde from the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), will be hosting a Decolonization Café in advance of Sept. 30, a day which has recently been recognized as the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is also known as Orange Shirt day, a day of education and remembrance about residential schools in Canada.
In many ways this year has been a heavy one. The unmarked graves of Indigenous children have been uncovered across the country, with many more yet to be unearthed. Canadians are increasingly aware of the genocidal legacy of residential schools, and while these stories have touched each of our hearts, it can be difficult to know what to do next. How do we sit with a grief so unfathomable? How do we grapple with this legacy of violence and betrayal?
The café will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Please join us for an opportunity to share with each other, to listen, to learn. We will discuss the role of humility and its importance in this moment, and how we can ground in love to move to courageous action.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
6 ways to honour reconciliation beyond Sept. 30
1. 4 Seasons of Reconciliation
This course is aimed at empowering people to educate themselves to develop a renewed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples through transformative multi-media learning.

2. Participate in Indigenous Knowledge Sharing Sessions
These are hosted by Georgian’s Indigenous Services and are open to all Georgian employees and students. All upcoming sessions are promoted through the employee and student portals and the college’s social media.
3. Participate in activities outside of the college
Check out events from local Indigenous friendship centres, other institutions and organizations, and virtual events. For all Georgian events, visit our events calendar.
4. Hold team meetings to discuss truth and reconciliation
Not sure where to start? Explore resources on the Georgian Library website, including learning what Indigenization is and why it’s important at the college.
5. Engage in Indigenous media
A great place to start is the Georgian Library’s Indigenization page, where you can find lists of Indigenous videos and books to check out.
6. Familiarize yourself with the Indigenization resources in Georgian’s online library
Not only can you find great book ideas at the Georgian Library, but you can expand your knowledge with educational resources, traditional teachings, Indigenous history and government resources, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada documents, and more.