Truth and Reconciliation Week at BU takes place from September 26th to 30th, 2023, providing a time to reflect on the harm done by Canada’s residential school system.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear orange throughout Truth and Reconciliation Week. Several organizations sell orange shirts, with proceeds going to Indigenous organizations. The Brandon Friendship Centre, Every Child Matters MB-Westman, and BU Bookstore are selling orange shirts this year, with all proceeds going to supporting indigenous initiatives.
The John E. Robbins Library has assembled a virtual and physical display with resources and information about Truth and Reconciliation Week and Orange Shirt Day. The virtual display will be available at Libguides.BrandonU.ca/OrangeShirtDay.
Also planned for Truth and Reconciliation Week:
- On Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 1:30 — 3:00 p.m., the BU Teachings House will host conversations around the Ceremonial Fire Pit in Kavanagh Courtyard. Present at the gathering will be Keeper Susie McPherson-Derendy reflecting on the legacy of residential schools. Find more information about this at, https://www.brandonu.ca/indigenous/gatherings/teaching-house-bu/
- The IPC will be screening the movie Bones of Crows on Tuesday, 26th and Thursday, 28th at 6:00pm. The movie tells the story of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears and her experiences in Canada's residential schools. There will be free concessions!
- The School of Music and Faculty of Arts present What's Love Got to Do with It: Artist talk and performance. The Artist talk will involve Morin and Kilpatrick and will take place at the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art on Thursday, 28th and on Saturday, 30th at 7:00p.m look out for performances by artists Peter Morin and Jimmie Kilpatrick in the Kinsmen Rehearsal Hall in the School of Music building, Room 1-20.
- The Survivors’ Flag will fly in front of Brandon University Monday, 25th -30th. More information on the Survivors’ Flag and the symbolism represented on the flag can be found at NCTR.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag.
- Faculty and staff are encouraged to incorporate the braid symbol from the BU Strategic Plan in their email signatures. The use of the braid in the strategic plan was inspired by Indigenous peoples and represents being stronger and more resilient together. The braid can be downloaded from https://www.brandonu.ca/indigenous/files/braid-transparent-smaller.zip
- The BU Bobcats are working on a video marking Orange Shirt Day with narration from athlete Faith Clearsky featuring knowledge keepers Barb Blind and Susie McPherson-Derendy. The Bobcats will also wear orange shirts during weekend games.
- The Bailey's Cafe will be offering indigenous specials including Bison Bannock Burger, Three Sisters Soup, Beef Stew, Cornbread with Maple Butter, and Bannock and Berries, starting 26th to 28th sept.
- Brandon University will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 30th in observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with Orange Shirt Day. More information on the history of the day can be found on the Canadian Heritage website, and at OrangeShirtDay.org. While BU will be closed, a number of events are taking place in communities across country. Feel free to check out the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples' Council facebook page for other community activities.
For more information, please visit Brandon University's page dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation Week at https://www.brandonu.ca/indigenous/gatherings/truth-reconciliation/.
