As the University of Toronto community prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ Flag, which honours Indigenous lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada, will be raised on each of its three campuses.
As the University of Toronto community prepares to mark Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Survivors’ Flag, which honours Indigenous lives and communities impacted by the residential school system in Canada, will be raised on each of its three campuses.
On the St. George campus, the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), in partnership with First Nations House and the U of T Office of Indigenous Initiatives, raised the Survivors’ Flag at Varsity Stadium on September 20. The flag will be lowered to half-mast on Sept. 30 when the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is formally recognized across Canada.
Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, said the flag is an important symbol of the steadfast support and solidarity with Indigenous communities.
“Recognizing the painful history of Canada’s residential school system, and the tragic consequences that are still being felt today, is a vital component of the reconciliation process,” said Kerr. “It’s also a time for settlers to reflect on what they can do to strengthen relationships with Indigenous Peoples in order to build a better future together.
“To that point, I would like to use this occasion to invite all students, staff and faculty members of KPE to attend Truth and Reconciliation events where their schedule permits and to spend some time reflecting on their own efforts towards reconciliation.”
The U of T community is invited to honour the experiences of residential school survivors by joining a university-wide event being held in the Great Hall at Hart House (7 Hart House Circle, Toronto) on Monday, September 30, from 10:00 to 11:30 am.
The event will feature welcoming remarks from David Kim, warden of Hart House, followed by remarks by Meric Gertler, president of U of T, and William Gough, acting vice-president of U of T and acting principal of U of T Scarborough, with a keynote address by Shirley Cheechoo, Canadian Cree actor, artist, filmmaker and founder of Weengushk Film Institute, who will be introduced by Benji Jacob, a fourth year psychology student from University of Toronto Mississauga, and closing remarks by Wesley J. Hall, chancellor of U of T.
Participants will have the option to register to attend the event in person or register to watch the live-stream on YouTube.
Other ways to participate include wearing an orange shirt, affirming that Every Child Matters.
In recognition of Orange Shirt Day 2024 and the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, the Office of Indigenous Initiatives has partnered with the U of T Bookstore on a limited supply of orange t-shirts. The shirts feature an award-winning design by MJ Singleton, an Ojibwe, two-spirit student from Migisi Sahgaigan First Nation who is studying at U of T Mississauga. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be directed to the Orange Shirt Society.
Importantly, wearing any orange shirt is a show of solidarity.
Members of the U of T community are also encouraged to use the Orange Shirt Day virtual background and profile icon, featuring MJ Singleton's design, the week of September 24-30.
