September 30 is Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2022, marks Canada’s second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Since 2013, it has been known as Orange Shirt Day, and last year Canada passed legislation to establish the day as a statutory holiday.

This day provides an opportunity for Providence Living — in collaboration with Providence Health Care — to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, and to honour the survivors, their families and communities. It is more than a stat holiday—it is a solemn and reflective day where we honour the children who suffered in the residential school system, and the ones who never made it home. This statutory holiday was created in response to one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and that challenges us to understand what we can do—today – to redress the dark legacy of the residential school and ongoing colonialism.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation provides an opportunity for us at Providence Living to reflect on our work as individuals and as an organization and ask ourselves, “Are we doing enough? What am I individually doing in my role to advance truth, reconciliation and culturally safe care for Indigenous patients?”

There are measures each of us can take to demonstrate our commitment truth and reconciliation. This can include:

Educating ourselves on these issues (See resources below)
Taking time for reflection and to make personal commitments
Participating in community events and/or memorials
Contributing to change efforts (including Orange Shirt Day)
Supporting or contributing to Indigenous businesses and communities and/or donating to Indigenous organizations