Marking Orange Shirt Day as an Ally

Orange Shirt Day, held annually on September 30, is a National Day of Remembrance to mark the devastating history and intergenerational impacts of residential and day schools and to also honour survivors. The legacy of Canada’s residential school system lies not in our distant past but is recent enough that some current Carleton students are survivors. Intergenerational trauma is felt by many First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Carleton community members are encouraged to reflect meaningfully on truth and conciliation in Canada — on Orange Shirt Day and beyond. Non-Indigenous community members can do so by pursuing their journey of allyship through education and reflection using the resources below.

Continue Learning

Discover ways to better understand the complexity of Indigenous histories and experiences and share them with those around you.

• Know how Orange Shirt Day came to be
• Learn whose land you are on
• Learn about Carleton’s Indigenous Studies Program
• Read books on the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples
• Watch videos by Indigenous filmmakers about Indigenous topics
• Listen to podcasts from Indigenous perspectives
• Take part in professional training like Carleton’s Kinàmàgawin Indigenous Learning Certificate or the University of Alberta’s free Indigenous Canada online course
• Discover what it means to be a good ally
• CISCE-Specific Resources

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Know the Key Reports and Findings

Understand the important work that has taken place and help achieve the Calls to Action.

• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: 94 Calls to Action
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Reports
• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
• Kinàmàgawin: Learning Together, 41 Carleton-specific Calls to Action
• Kinàmàgawin Progress Report 2022

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Support Carleton Student Success

Explore the services and programs Carleton provides for Indigenous students.

• Ojigkwanong Indigenous Student Centre
• Weekly and Monthly Indigenous Programming
• Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement
• Indigenous Enriched Support Program
• Indigenous Peer Mentorship Program
• Mawandoseg Centre
• Indigenous Initiatives at Sprott

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Integrate Indigenous Knowledge in the Classroom

Use the resources made available to the Carleton learning community without overburdening Indigenous experts.

• Indigenous Learning Bundles
• Office of the Assistant Vice-President, Indigenous Teaching, Learning and Research
• Ānako Indigenous Research Institute
• Meet with the Indigenous Curricula Learning Specialist to help incorporate Indigenous knowledge, resources, and ways of teaching into the classroom and academic spaces

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Connect with Surrounding Communities

Enhance your learning by making connections with local Indigenous communities.

• Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
• Algonquins of Pikwakanagan
• Minwaashin Lodge
• Odawa Native Friendship Centre
• Wabano Centre
• Assembly of First Nations
• Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
• Métis National Council
• Métis Nation of Ontario
• Native Women’s Association of Canada
• Your local Friendship Centre
• Stay in the know through CBC Indigenous
• 10 Indigenous activists and artists to follow

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Carleton community members are encouraged to wear orange shirts to commemorate the day, attend the events and take time to meaningfully reflect on truth and conciliation in Canada — on Orange Shirt Day and beyond. Visit our Orange Shirt Day page to learn more.

Friday, September 22, 2023 in Community, Indigenous
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