Lakeland College will recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday Sept 30.

Earlier this year in June, the federal government passed legislation to mark Sept. 30 as an annual public holiday. As we continue our work to support and respond to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Lakeland will honour this day on campus with students and staff. This decision was made with consultation from our Elders close to Lakeland.

Leading up to Sept. 30, we're planning several on-campus and online activities to raise awareness of and further reconciliation efforts.

On Sept. 30, everyone is encouraged to take a collective moment of silence at 2:15 pm to honour the 215 Indigenous children discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Residential School on the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation earlier this year. This discovery has sadly been followed by many others across our country.

I encourage everyone to take time on Sept. 30 to reflect on the ongoing legacy of residential schools in Canada, to honour the survivors and their families, and to remember those who lost their lives.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation also coincides with Orange Shirt Day - an annual event that honours Indigenous children who were taken from their homes to residential schools. Lakeland has commemorated this day with on-campus activities in the past and will continue this year. I encourage everyone to wear orange in support of this important day.

Located in the heart of Treaty 6 Territory and Region 2 of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Lakeland recognizes the critical importance of acknowledging Indigenous peoples' values and beliefs. We acknowledge Indigenous Peoples as the first people of Canada.

We are committed to supporting Truth and Reconciliation initiatives with our community partners, including the Indigenous Economic Partnership Summit Committee and the Heart of Treaty 6 Committee.

As an educational institution, acknowledging and learning from the truth is essential to our allyship with Indigenous Peoples.

Our path to reconciliation is a shared one - I encourage all members of our community to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart
President and CEO
Lakeland College